US20140237759A1 - Surface cleaning apparatus - Google Patents
Surface cleaning apparatus Download PDFInfo
- Publication number
- US20140237759A1 US20140237759A1 US13/779,405 US201313779405A US2014237759A1 US 20140237759 A1 US20140237759 A1 US 20140237759A1 US 201313779405 A US201313779405 A US 201313779405A US 2014237759 A1 US2014237759 A1 US 2014237759A1
- Authority
- US
- United States
- Prior art keywords
- cleaning apparatus
- surface cleaning
- cyclone
- motor
- chamber
- Prior art date
- Legal status (The legal status is an assumption and is not a legal conclusion. Google has not performed a legal analysis and makes no representation as to the accuracy of the status listed.)
- Granted
Links
- 238000004140 cleaning Methods 0.000 title claims abstract description 186
- 238000011144 upstream manufacturing Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 49
- 238000004891 communication Methods 0.000 claims abstract description 19
- 230000005484 gravity Effects 0.000 claims description 11
- 239000012530 fluid Substances 0.000 claims description 7
- 239000006260 foam Substances 0.000 description 11
- 230000009977 dual effect Effects 0.000 description 7
- 230000008901 benefit Effects 0.000 description 6
- 238000010276 construction Methods 0.000 description 6
- 230000008878 coupling Effects 0.000 description 4
- 238000010168 coupling process Methods 0.000 description 4
- 238000005859 coupling reaction Methods 0.000 description 4
- 239000000463 material Substances 0.000 description 3
- 238000000034 method Methods 0.000 description 3
- 230000000717 retained effect Effects 0.000 description 3
- 241000321728 Tritogonia verrucosa Species 0.000 description 2
- 239000010419 fine particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 210000003811 finger Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 238000002955 isolation Methods 0.000 description 2
- 230000013011 mating Effects 0.000 description 2
- 230000007246 mechanism Effects 0.000 description 2
- 239000010813 municipal solid waste Substances 0.000 description 2
- 239000002245 particle Substances 0.000 description 2
- 229920003023 plastic Polymers 0.000 description 2
- 230000007704 transition Effects 0.000 description 2
- 210000000707 wrist Anatomy 0.000 description 2
- 230000000903 blocking effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 230000008859 change Effects 0.000 description 1
- 239000011538 cleaning material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000007423 decrease Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000006073 displacement reaction Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000005611 electricity Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000004146 energy storage Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000007689 inspection Methods 0.000 description 1
- 238000012986 modification Methods 0.000 description 1
- 230000004048 modification Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000007789 sealing Methods 0.000 description 1
- 210000003813 thumb Anatomy 0.000 description 1
- 239000012780 transparent material Substances 0.000 description 1
- 230000001960 triggered effect Effects 0.000 description 1
- 238000005406 washing Methods 0.000 description 1
- XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N water Substances O XLYOFNOQVPJJNP-UHFFFAOYSA-N 0.000 description 1
Images
Classifications
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/24—Hand-supported suction cleaners
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/225—Convertible suction cleaners, i.e. convertible between different types thereof, e.g. from upright suction cleaners to sledge-type suction cleaners
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/28—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
- A47L5/32—Suction cleaners with handles and nozzles fixed on the casings, e.g. wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle with means for connecting a hose
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L5/00—Structural features of suction cleaners
- A47L5/12—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum
- A47L5/22—Structural features of suction cleaners with power-driven air-pumps or air-compressors, e.g. driven by motor vehicle engine vacuum with rotary fans
- A47L5/36—Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back
- A47L5/362—Suction cleaners with hose between nozzle and casing; Suction cleaners for fixing on staircases; Suction cleaners for carrying on the back of the horizontal type, e.g. canister or sledge type
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
- A47L9/1608—Cyclonic chamber constructions
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
- A47L9/165—Construction of inlets
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
- A47L9/1658—Construction of outlets
- A47L9/1666—Construction of outlets with filtering means
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/16—Arrangement or disposition of cyclones or other devices with centrifugal action
- A47L9/1683—Dust collecting chambers; Dust collecting receptacles
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/22—Mountings for motor fan assemblies
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/28—Installation of the electric equipment, e.g. adaptation or attachment to the suction cleaner; Controlling suction cleaners by electric means
- A47L9/2857—User input or output elements for control, e.g. buttons, switches or displays
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/32—Handles
- A47L9/322—Handles for hand-supported suction cleaners
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/32—Handles
- A47L9/325—Handles for wheeled suction cleaners with steering handle
-
- A—HUMAN NECESSITIES
- A47—FURNITURE; DOMESTIC ARTICLES OR APPLIANCES; COFFEE MILLS; SPICE MILLS; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L—DOMESTIC WASHING OR CLEANING; SUCTION CLEANERS IN GENERAL
- A47L9/00—Details or accessories of suction cleaners, e.g. mechanical means for controlling the suction or for effecting pulsating action; Storing devices specially adapted to suction cleaners or parts thereof; Carrying-vehicles specially adapted for suction cleaners
- A47L9/10—Filters; Dust separators; Dust removal; Automatic exchange of filters
- A47L9/19—Means for monitoring filtering operation
Definitions
- the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a portable surface cleaning apparatus, such as a hand vacuum cleaner or a pod.
- Surface cleaning apparatus include vacuum cleaners.
- a vacuum cleaner typically uses at least one cyclonic cleaning stage.
- cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners have been developed. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,716 and US 2010/0229328. Each of these discloses a hand vacuum cleaner which includes a cyclonic cleaning stage.
- U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,716 discloses a cyclonic cleaning stage utilizing two cyclonic cleaning stages wherein both cyclonic stages have cyclone axis that extends vertically.
- US 2010/0229328 discloses a cyclonic hand vacuum cleaner wherein the cyclone axis extends horizontally and is co-axial with the suction motor.
- hand carriable (e.g., pod style) cyclonic vacuum cleaners are also known (see U.S. Pat. No. 8,146,201).
- a pod or other hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus such as a vacuum cleaner
- a vacuum cleaner is provided utilizing at least one cyclone stage wherein the cyclone chamber has two dirt outlets which are preferably positioned front and rear.
- An advantage of this design is that the dirt carrying capacity of the vacuum cleaner may be increased. For example, if the vacuum cleaner is being used and is tilted upwardly, the dirt in the dirt collection chamber will tend to move rearwardly. The amount of dirt in the dirt collection chamber may be below the fill line. However, when the vacuum cleaner is tilted upwardly, movement of the dirt rearwardly may cause the dirt in the dirt collection chamber to extend above the fill line and could potentially block a rearwardly positioned dirt outlet.
- a second spaced apart (preferably forwardly positioned) dirt outlet may provide an alternate dirt outlet which may be used in such a situation.
- the hand vacuum cleaner may be tilted forwardly.
- the dirt in the dirt collection chamber may move forwardly blocking a forward dirt outlet.
- the provision of a second spaced apart (preferably rearwardly positioned) dirt outlet may provide an alternate dirt outlet which may be used in such a situation. Accordingly, provision of different dirt outlets may allow the vacuum cleaner to continue to function despite the vacuum cleaner being operated at an angle to the horizontal.
- hand vacuum cleaners pod vacuum cleaners or other vacuum cleaners or surface cleaning apparatus which are meant to be carried by a hand or shoulder strap or the like (which may be referred to as hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus).
- the dirt outlets are positioned adjacent the forward end and the rearward end of the cyclone chamber or cyclone chambers.
- displacing the dirt outlets from being exactly forward or rearward will still increase the dirt capacity of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus when operated at an angle to the horizontal.
- the cyclone chamber may be of any particular design.
- the cyclone chamber has the dirt outlet provided at a lower end.
- the vacuum cleaner may have an upper air inlet and an upper air outlet.
- the dirt outlets may be provided in the sidewall at or close to the lower end wall of the cyclone chamber. Accordingly, the dirt outlets may be defined by cutouts or slots provided in the sidewall of the cyclone chamber.
- the dual dirt outlet design may be utilized with other cyclone constructions such as an inverted cyclone (e.g., the air inlet and air outlet are provided at a lower end and the dirt outlets are provided at an upper end of the cyclone chamber).
- Each of the dirt outlets may be the same size. However, in a preferred embodiment, one of the dirt outlets is larger than the other.
- the positioning of the dirt outlets with respect to the position of the cyclone air inlet may vary. For example, one or both of the dirt outlets may have a radial extent of 15-135°, preferably 30-105° and, still more preferably, 60-75°.
- One of the dirt outlets may be positioned at the same radial position on the sidewall of the cyclone chamber as the cyclone air inlet.
- one of the dirt outlets may be positioned directly below the air inlet such that the radial displacement around the sidewall of the cyclone chamber from the air inlet may be less than 10 degrees.
- the opposed dirt outlet is larger and may be twice as large (e.g., its angular extent may be twice that of the slot which is aligned with the air inlet).
- the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may be mountable on a base, such as a wheeled base or an upper portion of an upright surface cleaning apparatus.
- the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may function as the air treatment member of an upright surface cleaning apparatus or a canister style surface cleaning apparatus.
- an improved air flow path for a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus and, preferably, a hand vacuum cleaner or hand surface cleaning apparatus is provided.
- the suction motor inlet is positioned below the upper end of the cyclone chamber and preferably at a position between the upper and lower ends of the cyclone chamber or a cyclone bin assembly (e.g., a cyclone bin assembly which includes a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber, wherein the dirt collection chamber may be positioned below the cyclone chamber).
- the air may enter the cyclone chamber, either at the upper end or the lower end of the cyclone chamber, and exit the cyclone chamber via an air outlet positioned in the upper end wall of the cyclone chamber.
- the air may then travel through a pre-motor filter.
- the pre-motor filter is preferably positioned above the cyclone chamber.
- the air exiting the cyclone chamber may either travel upwardly through the pre-motor filter and then travel downwardly via a conduit provided through the pre-motor filter or at a position that is laterally spaced (e.g., rearwardly) from the pre-motor filter.
- the air exiting the cyclone chamber may pass via a conduit through the pre-motor filter and then travel downwardly through the pre-motor filter before travelling laterally (e.g., rearwardly).
- a conduit may then extend downwardly from the downstream side of the pre-motor filter (e.g., adjacent the cyclone chamber and/or an exterior dirt collection chamber of the cyclone chamber) to the suction motor inlet.
- This down flow conduit may be spaced from the cyclone chamber and dirt collection chamber or it may share a common wall with one or both thereof.
- the pre-motor filter may be accessible for cleaning or replacement by opening a panel on the upper portion of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus.
- the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may be emptiable by opening a bottom door.
- the bottom door may open the cyclone chamber, the dirt collection chamber, and, preferably, both simultaneously.
- the surface cleaning apparatus is provided in a hand carriable configuration wherein a bottom opening door and an upper opening pre-motor filter chamber is provided.
- a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus wherein the suction motor is positioned horizontally (e.g., transverse to the vertical axis of the cyclone) and located between the upper and lower ends of the cyclone chamber or a cyclone bin assembly (preferably at or proximate a midpoint of the cyclone or cyclone bin assembly).
- a handle is provided which extends upwardly from the suction motor housing and is secured to an upper portion of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus.
- a lower end of the handle may be provided on an upper surface of the suction motor housing.
- the upper end of the handle may extend to the pre-motor filter housing or a bridging portion which extends rearwardly from the pre-motor filter housing.
- the handle is preferably positioned so as to be rearward of the centre of gravity of the hand vacuum cleaner.
- the centre of gravity is also located below the lower end of the handle.
- the handle may also be angled forwardly such that a vertical line extending upwardly from the center of gravity may pass through an upper portion of the handle (preferably a bridging portion extending between the pre-motor filter housing and the upper portion of the handle).
- An advantage of this design is that the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus has improved ergonomics.
- the hand vacuum cleaner may impart a downward force of less than two pounds, preferably less than one pound, and preferably essentially no downward force on the hand of the user when the user holds the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus horizontally disposed.
- a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus wherein the dirt collection chamber is removable with the handle of the surface cleaning apparatus for emptying.
- An advantage of this design is that a user need not carry the entire hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus to a garbage can or the like for emptying the dirt collection chamber. Instead, the user may be able to manipulate a lighter portion while emptying the dirt collection chamber.
- utilizing the handle of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus provides an easy way for a user to transport and hold the dirt collection chamber while it is being emptied.
- the dirt collection chamber may be washed or otherwise cleaned once removed from the suction motor.
- the dirt collection chamber may be a lower portion of the cyclone chamber or a separate chamber in communication with a dirt outlet of the cyclone chamber.
- the cyclone chamber and dirt collection chamber may be removable with the handle as a unit (e.g., a cyclone bin assembly). It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any of the features of the removable dirt collection chamber and handle assembly discussed herein may not be utilized with the dual dirt outlet design disclosed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
- a bleed valve is provided downstream of the cyclone chamber.
- the air exiting the cyclone chamber may travel upwardly via a conduit (which may be an extension of the vortex finder) through the pre-motor filters so that the upper side of the pre-motor filter is the upstream or dirty side of the pre-motor filter.
- the bleed valve may be positioned in the up flow conduit and connect with an air flow passage on the downstream side of the pre-motor filter (e.g., a downstream header of the pre-motor filter).
- the bleed valve may be positioned so as to draw bleed air in through a port on the upper side of the pre-motor filter housing and convey the bleed air through the up flow conduit from the cyclone chamber to a position downstream of the pre-motor filter.
- the bleed valve could be provided on a rearward surface of the surface cleaning apparatus.
- the bleed valve could be position coaxial with, and above, the suction motor housing. Accordingly, bleed air could travel essentially forwardly through the bleed valve into the down flow conduit adjacent to the cyclone chamber/dirt collection chamber and then rearwardly into the suction motor.
- the bleed valve could be radially spaced around the hand vacuum cleaner but still communicate with the down flow passage.
- the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus has a cyclone chamber with a vertically extending axis and the pre-motor filter is positioned above the cyclone chamber and is preferably positioned so as to extend perpendicular to the axis of the cyclone. Accordingly, the air exiting the cyclone chamber may travel upwardly to the pre-motor filter.
- the lower side of the pre-motor filter may be the upstream side or alternately, the upper side may be the upstream side of the pre-motor filter (if a conduit such as the vortex finder extends through the pre-motor filter).
- a pod or other hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may be provided with a pre-motor filter that is positioned above the cyclone chamber and the vortex finder or an extension thereof may extend through the pre-motor filter to the upstream side of the pre-motor filter.
- the pre-motor filter may be essentially coaxial with the vortex finder (e.g., the pre-motor filter may overlie the cyclone chamber and be essentially centered above the cyclone chamber). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any of the features of a pre-motor filter with a conduit therethrough disclosed herein may not be utilized with the dual dirt outlet discussed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
- a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus having a front end, a rear end and comprising:
- the pre-motor filter may be positioned above the cyclone chamber and the upstream side is spaced further from the cyclone chamber than the downstream side.
- the cyclone air outlet may comprise a vortex finder and the conduit comprises an extension of the vortex finder.
- the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a downstream header on the downstream side of the pre-motor filter.
- the air flow path may extend downstream from the downstream header.
- the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise an upstream header on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter.
- the upstream header may be openable.
- At least a portion of the upstream header may be transparent.
- the suction motor may have a suction motor inlet that is positioned between the lower and upper ends of the cyclone bin assembly.
- the suction motor may have a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis.
- the suction motor may have a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis.
- the air inlet may be provided at the upper end and the dirt outlet is provided at the lower end and a dirt collection chamber is positioned below the cyclone chamber.
- the air flow path motor may have a portion that is exterior to and extends part way along an exterior wall of the cyclone chamber to a suction motor inlet.
- the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a dirt collection chamber positioned exterior to the cyclone chamber.
- the air flow path may have a portion that extends part way along an exterior wall of the dirt collection chamber to a suction motor inlet.
- the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a handle, a suction motor housing and a pre-motor filter housing positioned above the cyclone chamber.
- the handle may extend between the suction motor housing and the pre-motor filter housing.
- the pre-motor filter housing may be openable.
- the suction motor may have a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis.
- the handle may have a suction motor housing end that is spaced rearward of the cyclone bin assembly and below the pre-motor filter housing and a pre-motor filter end that is spaced above and forward of the suction motor end of the handle.
- the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise an opening having a perimeter.
- the perimeter may comprise portions of the handle, the pre-motor filer housing and the suction motor housing.
- the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a handle.
- a portion of the handle may be placed rearward of a centre of gravity of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus.
- the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a bleed valve having an inlet end in the air flow path.
- the bleed valve may have an axis that is generally parallel to an axis of the suction motor.
- FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a hand held surface cleaning apparatus
- FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 attached to a cleaning tool;
- FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 4 is another partially exploded perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 5 is bottom perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 with the bottom door in an open position;
- FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 , taken along line 6 - 6 in FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 7 is the cross sectional view of FIG. 6 with the surface cleaning apparatus tilted forward;
- FIG. 8 is the cross sectional view of FIG. 6 with the surface cleaning apparatus tilted backward;
- FIG. 9 is a side view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 1 ;
- FIG. 10 is a side view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus with the cyclone bin assembly and handle removed for emptying;
- FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 10 ;
- FIG. 12 is a schematic top plan representation of an example of a cyclone bin assembly
- FIG. 13 is a schematic top plan representation of another example of a cyclone bin assembly
- FIG. 14 is a schematic top plan representation of another example of a cyclone bin assembly
- FIG. 13 is a schematic top plan representation of another example of a cyclone bin assembly
- FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus
- FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus.
- FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus
- FIG. 19 is a perspective view from the front of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus.
- FIG. 20 is another perspective view from the rear of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 21 is a partially exploded perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a portion of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of the FIG. 22 , taken along line 23 - 23 in FIG. 22 ;
- FIG. 24 is the cross sectional view of FIG. 23 with a bottom door in an open position
- FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus of
- FIG. 19 taken along line 26 - 26 in FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view taken along line 27 - 27 in FIG. 19 ;
- FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus of FIG. 19 with a cover open;
- FIG. 29 is the perspective view of FIG. 28 with a filter cartridge removed;
- FIG. 30 is the perspective view of FIG. 29 with a filter removed from the filter cartridge
- FIG. 31 is a cross sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus.
- FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus.
- FIG. 33 is the perspective view of FIG. 29 with a different embodiment of a filter cartridge.
- FIG. 34 is a cross sectional view of the filter cartridge taken along line 34 - 34 in FIG. 33 with the filter cartridge in the surface cleaning apparatus.
- the surface cleaning apparatus 900 is a hand carriable or hand-held vacuum cleaner. It will be appreciated that surface cleaning apparatus 900 could be carried by a hand of a user, a shoulder strap or the like and could be in the form of a pod or other portable surface cleaning apparatus. Surface cleaning apparatus 900 could be a vacuum cleaner, an extractor or the like. All such surface cleaning apparatus are referred to herein as a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus.
- surface cleaning apparatus 900 could be removably mounted on a base so as to form, for example, an upright vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner, a stick vac, a wet-dry vacuum cleaner and the like.
- Power can be supplied to the surface cleaning apparatus 900 by an electrical cord (not shown) that can be connected to a standard wall electrical outlet.
- the power source for the surface cleaning apparatus can be an onboard energy storage device, including, for example, one or more batteries.
- the surface cleaning apparatus 900 comprises a main body 901 having a handle 902 , a dirty air inlet 903 , a clean air outlet 904 (see for example FIG. 6 ) and an air flow path extending therebetween.
- the dirty air inlet 903 is the inlet end 905 of connector 906 .
- the inlet end can be used to directly clean a surface.
- the inlet end 905 can be connected to the downstream end of any suitable hose, cleaning tool or accessory, including, for example a wand 907 that is pivotally connected to a surface cleaning head 908 ( FIG. 2 ), a nozzle and a flexible suction hose.
- the surface cleaning apparatus 900 can be used to clean a floor or other surface in a manner analogous to conventional upright-style vacuum cleaners.
- the connector 906 may be any suitable connector that is operable to connect to, and preferably detachably connect to, a hose, cleaning tool or other accessory.
- the connector 906 may also include an electrical connection. Providing an electrical connection may allow cleaning tools and accessories that are coupled to the connector to be powered by the surface cleaning apparatus 900 .
- the surface cleaning unit 900 can be used to provide both power and suction to a surface cleaning head, or other suitable tool.
- the connector 906 includes an electrical coupling in the form of a female socket member 909 , and a corresponding male prong member may be provided on the hose, cleaning tool and/or accessory that is connected to inlet end 905 .
- socket member 909 may include male connectors. In such a case, it is preferred that the male connectors are de-energized when exposed (i.e., they are not plugged into a female connector).
- the air treatment member may be any suitable member that can treat the air in a desired manner, including, for example, removing dirt particles and debris from the air.
- the air treatment member includes a cyclone bin assembly 910 .
- the air treatment member can comprise a bag, a filter or other air treating means.
- the cyclone bin assembly forms part of the main body 901 of the surface cleaning apparatus.
- a suction motor 911 (see FIG. 6 ) is mounted within a motor housing 912 portion of the main body 901 and is in fluid communication with the cyclone bin assembly 910 . In this configuration, the suction motor 911 is downstream from the cyclone bin assembly 910 and the clean air outlet 904 is downstream from the suction motor 911 .
- the cyclone bin assembly 910 includes a cyclone chamber 913 and a dirt collection chamber 914 .
- the cyclone chamber 913 and the dirt collection chamber 914 may be of any suitable configuration.
- the dirt collection chamber 914 is positioned outside or exterior to and substantially below the cyclone chamber 913 . Preferably, a least a portion, if not all, of the dirt collection chamber is below the cyclone chamber.
- the dirt collection chamber 914 comprises a sidewall 915 , a first end wall 916 and an opposed second end wall 917 .
- the dirt collection chamber 914 extends along a dirt collection axis 918 .
- the dirt collection chamber 914 may be emptyable by any means known in the art and is preferably openable concurrently with the cyclone chamber 913 .
- the second dirt collection chamber end wall 917 is moveably (e.g., pivotally) connected to e.g., the dirt collection chamber sidewall 915 , for example using hinge 919 .
- the second dirt collection chamber end wall 917 functions as an openable door to empty the dirt collection chamber 914 and can be opened as shown in FIG. 5 to empty dirt and debris from the interior of the dirt collection chamber 914 .
- the second dirt collection chamber end wall 917 can be retained in the closed position by any means known in the art, such as by a releasable latch 919 a .
- the hinge 919 is provided on a back edge of the end wall 917 and the latch 919 a is provided at the front of the end wall 917 so that the door swings backwardly when opened.
- the hinge and latch may be in different positions, and the door may open in a different direction or manner.
- the end wall may be removable.
- the cyclone chamber 913 extends along a cyclone axis 920 and is bounded by a sidewall 921 .
- the cyclone chamber 913 includes an air inlet 922 and an air outlet 923 and two dirt outlets 924 a and 924 b in communication with the dirt collection chamber 914 .
- the air inlet, air outlet and dirt outlets may be of any design known in the art.
- the air inlet 922 is generally tangentially oriented relative to the sidewall 921 , so that air entering the cyclone chamber 913 will tend to swirl and circulate within the cyclone chamber 913 , thereby dis-entraining dirt and debris from the air flow, before leaving the chamber via the air outlet 923 .
- the air inlet 922 extends along an inlet axis 925 that may be generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis 920 , and in the illustrated example is generally parallel to and offset above a suction motor axis 926 .
- the cyclone air outlet 923 comprises a conduit member or vortex finder 927 .
- a screen 928 can be positioned over the vortex finder 927 to help filter lint, fluff and other fine debris.
- the screen 928 can be removable.
- the screen 928 can be tapered such that the distal, inner or free end 930 of the screen 928 has a smaller diameter 931 than the diameter 932 at the base 933 of the screen 928 and/or the air inlet 922 .
- the screen 928 can be configured so that the diameter 931 of the free end 930 of the screen is between about 60% and about 100% of the diameter 932 of the base 933 of the screen 928 and/or the air inlet 922 , and may be between about 60%-90%, about 70-80% and preferably is between about 63-67% of the base diameter 932 and/or the air inlet 922 .
- the air inlet 922 has an inlet diameter 934 , and a related inlet flow cross-sectional area (measure in a plane 935 perpendicular to the inlet axis 925 ).
- the air outlet 923 is sized so that the diameter 936 of the air outlet 923 , and therefore the corresponding flow area of the air outlet, is the same as the diameter 934 of the air inlet 922 .
- the air outlet diameter 936 may be between about 50% and about 150%, and between about 85-115% of the air inlet diameter 934 .
- the cyclone bin assembly 910 and the cyclone chamber 913 are arranged in a generally vertical, inverted cyclone configuration.
- the air inlet 922 and the air outlet 923 are provided toward the upper end of the cyclone chamber 913 .
- the cyclone bin assembly 910 and cyclone chamber 913 can be provided in another orientation, including, for example, as a horizontal cyclone or in other configurations, e.g., with the dirt collection chamber beside the cyclone chamber and/or with the inlet and outlets at differing positions.
- the sidewall 921 can coincide with portions of the external sidewalls of the cyclone bin assembly 910 and the dirt collection chamber sidewall 915 (see FIGS. 5 and 6 ). This may help reduce the overall size of the cyclone bin assembly.
- the sidewall 921 may be distinct from the sidewalls.
- the cyclone chamber 915 may include only a single dirt outlet 924 , or more than two dirt outlets.
- the cyclone chamber 913 includes a first or upper end wall 937 .
- the end wall 937 is connected to the upper end of the sidewall 921 to enclose the upper end of the cyclone chamber 913 .
- a juncture 938 between the end wall 937 and the side wall 921 includes a curved surface 939 .
- the radius 940 of the curved surface 939 may be selected to be similar to the radius (i.e. half of the diameter 934 ) of the air inlet 922 , and optionally may be selected so that the juncture surface 939 has the same radius as the air inlet.
- the juncture 941 between the end wall 937 and the vortex finder 927 may also be curved, and preferably is sized to have a radius 942 that is similar to or is the same as the radius 940 of the juncture between the end wall 937 and the sidewall 921 .
- Providing curved surfaces at one or both of the junctures 938 , 941 may help reduce backpressure and may help improve cyclone efficiency.
- the upper end wall 937 of the cyclone chamber 913 can be openable or removable to allow access to the interior of the cyclone chamber 913 from above.
- a deflector or arrestor plate 943 may be positioned at the lower end of the cyclone chamber 913 , at the interface between the cyclone chamber 913 and the dirt collection chamber 917 .
- the arrestor plate 943 is preferably sized to cover substantially all of the lower end of the cyclone chamber 913 , and to abut the lower end of the cyclone sidewall 921 to form a lower end wall of the cyclone chamber. When the arrestor plate 943 abuts the lower ends of the sidewall 921 it helps define the gaps or slots that form the dirt outlets 924 a , 924 b .
- the dirt outlet slots 924 a , 924 b are bound on three sides by the cyclone chamber sidewall 921 and on a fourth side by the arrestor plate 943 .
- the dirt outlet slots 924 a , 924 b may be entirely bounded by the sidewall 921 and may be spaced apart from the arrestor plate 943 .
- the dirt outlets 924 a , 924 b are vertically spaced apart from the air inlet 922 and air outlet 923 and are positioned at the opposite, lower end of the cyclone chamber 913 .
- the arrestor plate 943 forms the bottom of the cyclone chamber and may be of any suitable configuration.
- the arrestor plate 943 may be fixed in its position adjacent the sidewall 921 , or may be moveable or openable. Providing an openable arrestor plate 943 may help facilitate emptying of the cyclone chamber 913 .
- the arrestor plate 943 may be openable concurrently with another portion of the surface cleaning apparatus, including, for example, the dirt collection chamber 917 .
- the arrestor plate 943 is mounted to and supported spaced from the openable wall 917 by a support member 944 .
- the support member 944 may be of any suitable configuration and may be formed from any suitable material that is capable of supporting the arrestor plate 943 and resisting stresses exerted on the arrestor plate 943 by the air flow in the cyclone chamber or dirt particles exiting the cyclone chamber 913 .
- the arrestor plate 943 is openable concurrently with the end wall 917 , so that opening the end wall 917 simultaneously opens the dirt collection chamber 914 and the cyclone chamber 913 .
- the arrestor plate 943 may be mounted to the sidewall 921 (or other portion of the surface cleaning apparatus) and need not open in unison with the end wall 917 .
- each dirt outlet 924 a and 924 b is a slot that includes an upper edge 945 and a lower edge 946 spaced apart from each other by a slot height 947 , measured axially.
- the slot height 947 may be any suitable distance, including for example, between 1 mm and 49 mm or more, and preferably is between about 3 mm and about 25 mm.
- Each slot 924 a , 924 b also includes two side edges 948 ( FIG. 5 ) spaced apart by a slot width 949 , measured along the perimeter of the cyclone chamber sidewall 921 .
- Each slot width may be between about 5% and about 50% of the perimeter of the cyclone chamber sidewall 921 , and preferably may be between about 10% and about 35% and may be about 25%.
- the cyclone chamber sidewall 921 is circular in axial cross-sectional shape, and the angle 950 ( FIG. 5 ) subtended by the dirt outlet 924 b may between about 20° and about 180°, and may be between about 35° and 125°, and between about 45° and 90°.
- the angle 951 between the dirt outlets 924 a and 924 b measured from the centre line of the slots ( FIG. 5 ) is 180°.
- the dirt outlets 924 a , 924 b may be generally identical.
- the dirt outlets 924 a and 924 b may be of different configurations (i.e. may have different heights and/or widths).
- slot 924 a which is at the same end as the cyclone air inlet, is smaller than the opposed dirt outlet 924 b and may be about half the size.
- FIG. 12 a cross-sectional schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of a cyclone bin assembly 2910 is shown.
- the cyclone bin assembly 2910 is generally similar to cyclone bin assembly 910 and analogous features are indicated using like reference characters indexed by 2000.
- This schematic illustrates a top view of an example of a circular cyclone chamber 2913 positioned within a generally square dirt collection chamber 2914 .
- the cyclone chamber 2913 includes a tangential air inlet 2922 and an air outlet 2923 .
- Two dirt outlets 2924 a and 2924 b are provided in the cyclone chamber sidewall 2921 .
- the angle 2951 between the dirt outlets 2924 a , 2924 b is about 180°.
- the angle 2952 between the air inlet 2922 (measured from the point of tangential intersection between the air inlet and the cyclone chamber sidewall 2921 ) and the first dirt slot 2924 a , in the direction of air circulation (arrow 2953 ), is approximately 90°
- the angle 2952 b between the air inlet 2922 and the second dirt slot 2924 b is about 270°.
- angles 2952 a and 2952 b may be different.
- each slot subtends an angle 2950 a , 2950 b that is about 45°, the leading edge (in the direction of air circulation) of dirt slot 2924 a is aligned with the leading edge of dirt slot 2924 b , and the trailing edge (in the direction of air circulation) of dirt slot 2924 a is aligned with the trailing edge of dirt slot 2924 b.
- Cyclone bin assembly 3910 is generally similar to cyclone bin assembly 910 , and analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by 3000.
- This embodiment is similar to the embodiment of FIG. 12 , except that the position of the dirt outlets 3924 a and 3924 b has been shifted by 90° relative to the air inlet 3922 .
- the angle 3951 between the dirt outlets 3924 a , 3924 b remains 180°, but the angle between the dirt outlet 3924 a and the air inlet is 0° and the angle 3952 b between the dirt outlet 3924 b and the air inlet is 180°.
- Cyclone bin assembly 4910 is generally similar to cyclone bin assembly 910 , and analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by 4000.
- the individual dirt slots 4924 a and 4924 b have the same configuration as the slots illustrated in FIGS. 12 and 13 , but are positioned differently.
- the first dirt slot 4924 a is positioned generally adjacent the air inlet 4922 , and the angle 4952 a between the air inlet 4922 and the first dirt slot 4924 a is about 30° downstream from the air inlet, and the angle 4952 b between the first dirt slot and the second dirt slot 4924 b is about 90°.
- both dirt slots 4924 a and 4924 b are positioned on the same side of the cyclone chamber 4913 (i.e. within 180° of each other).
- Cyclone bin assembly 5910 is generally similar to cyclone bin assembly 910 , and analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by 5000.
- the dirt slots 5924 a and 5924 b are opposite each other (i.e. the angle 5951 is about 180°) but each dirt slot 5942 a and 5924 b is much wider than the other illustrated examples, such that the angles 5950 a and 5950 b subtended by each dirt slot is about 150°.
- the dirt slots 5942 a and 5924 b represent more than 50% of the total perimeter of the cyclone chamber 5913 .
- portions of the cyclone chamber sidewall 5921 are coincident with the dirt collection chamber sidewalls 5916 .
- the cyclone chamber walls 5921 may sub-divide the dirt collection chamber 5914 into two different portions 5914 a and 5914 b , separated by the cyclone chamber 5913 .
- Each dirt collection region 5914 a and 5914 b is in communication with a respective one of the dirt slots 5942 a and 5924 b .
- the air inlet axis 5925 is not tangentially oriented (i.e. is not parallel to a tangential plane 5954 ). Instead, the air inlet 5922 is arranged at an angle 5955 , relative to the tangential plane 5954 . This may alter the characteristics of the air flow entering the cyclone chamber.
- the dirt outlets 924 a and 924 b are arranged generally opposite each other, are arranged at approximately 180° from each other (measured as a centre-to-centre angle 951 in FIG. 5 ).
- dirt outlet 924 a is positioned at the front of the cyclone chamber 913 (e.g. in a portion of the sidewall that is located toward the connector and air inlet) and the dirt outlet 924 b is positioned at the back of the cyclone chamber 913 .
- dirt and debris may accumulate within the dirt collection chamber 914 and when the surface cleaning apparatus is manipulated by a user, dirt within the dirt collection 914 chamber may tend to shift and may collect toward the lowest portion of the dirt collection 914 chamber due to gravity. For example, when the surface cleaning apparatus is tipper forward, so that the connector is angled downward and the handle is lifted ( FIG. 7 ), dirt 956 may tend to collect toward the front of the dirt collection chamber 914 . If the level of the dirt 956 is sufficiently high it may partially or completely block the front dirt outlet 924 a as illustrated. In this configuration the first dirt outlet 924 a may be blocked, but the rear dirt outlet 924 b remains free.
- the dirt may tend to collect in a rear portion of the dirt collection chamber ( FIG. 8 ) and may partially or completely block the rear dirt outlet 924 b .
- the rear dirt outlet 924 b is blocked, but the front dirt outlet 924 a is free.
- Providing two dirt outlets 924 a and 924 b on opposite sides of the cyclone chamber may help ensure that at least one outlet 924 a and 924 b remains free and unblocked to allow dirt to exit the cyclone chamber 913 even if the surface cleaning apparatus 900 is tilted forward or backward.
- the dirt slots may be positioned in other locations.
- the cyclone chamber may be configured to have a rear dirt outlet and a side dirt outlet, or two side outlets provided toward the left and right sides of the cyclone chamber.
- one or more pre-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between the cyclone bin assembly and the suction motor.
- one or more post-motor filters may be provided downstream from the suction motor. The following is a description of a pre-motor filter housing construction that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
- a pre-motor filter chamber or housing 956 is provided as a portion of the body 901 of the surface cleaning apparatus 900 , above the cyclone bin assembly 910 .
- the pre-motor filter chamber 956 is bounded by a bottom wall 957 , a sidewall 958 and an upper wall 958 a .
- the upper wall 958 a is provided by an upper cover 959 .
- the upper cover 959 is removable ( FIG. 3 ) to provide access to the interior of the chamber 956 .
- the upper cover may be pivotally openable or otherwise moveably coupled to the main body.
- One or more filters may be positioned within the pre-motor filter chamber 956 to filter fine particles from the air stream exiting the air outlet, before it flows into inlet of the suction motor.
- the filters may be of any suitable configuration and formed from any suitable materials.
- a foam filter 960 and a downstream felt filter 961 are positioned within the pre-motor filter chamber 956 .
- the bottom wall 957 includes a plurality of upstanding support ribs 962 to support the filters 960 , 961 positioned within the chamber 956 .
- the support ribs 962 may hold the filters 960 , 961 above the surface 963 of the bottom wall 957 to define a lower header or headspace 964 , to allow for air to flow laterally between the bottom surface 965 of filter 961 and the bottom wall 957 .
- the lower or downstream headspace 964 is defined between the outer surface 965 of the felt 961 and the surface 963 of the bottom wall 957 .
- the pre-motor filter chamber 956 and the filters therein 960 , 961 , is positioned above the cyclone chamber 913 and covers the upper end of the cyclone chamber 913 .
- a plane 966 containing the foam filter 960 is generally parallel and spaced above a plane 967 containing the air outlet 923 of the cyclone chamber 913 , and both planes 966 , 967 are generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis 920 .
- Arranging the filters in this configuration results in the upstream side of the pre-motor filter (in this example the upper side 968 of the foam filter 960 ) being spaced further apart from the cyclone chamber 913 than the downstream side of the pre-motor filter (in this example the lower surface 965 of the felt filter 961 ).
- the pre-motor filter chamber may cover only a portion of the upper end of the cyclone chamber and/or may be laterally spaced apart from the cyclone chamber and/or may be inclined with respect to plane 967 .
- the pre-motor filter chamber or downstream header 956 is configured so that the upstream side 968 of the foam filter 960 is provided toward the top of the chamber, and air flows generally downwardly through the filters.
- the upper cover 959 is shaped so that when it is closed ( FIG. 8 ) an upper or upstream headspace or header 970 is provided between the inner surface of the upper cover 959 and the upstream side 968 of the foam filter 960 .
- each filter includes a correspondingly shaped conduit aperture 972 ( FIG. 4 ). It will be appreciated that other flow paths may be used to connect vortex finder 927 in air communication with upstream headspace 970 .
- air exiting the cyclone chamber 913 may flow into the upstream head space 956 via the vortex finder 927 .
- the air can flow laterally across the upstream surface 968 of the foam filter 960 , and down through the filters 960 , 961 into the downstream head space 964 .
- the upper side 988 of the foam filter 960 is exposed to the dirty air exiting the cyclone air outlet 923 , and may become dirty or soiled during use.
- the upper cover 959 may include at least one transparent region overlying the upper side 968 of the filter 960 .
- some or all of the upper cover may be formed from a transparent material (such as plastic) or one or more windows may be provided within the upper cover member. Providing a transparent region allows a user to visually inspect the condition of the upstream side 698 of the filter 960 without having to open the upper cover 959 .
- the upper cover 959 need not include any type of transparent portion or inspection region, and a user may inspect the upstream side 968 of the filter 960 when the upper cover 959 is opened or removed.
- the pre-motor filter may be provided laterally from the vortex finder.
- FIG. 16 a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 6900 is shown. Apparatus 6900 is similar to apparatus 900 , and analogous features are identified using like reference numerals indexed by 6000.
- the pre-motor filter 6960 is spaced laterally from the vortex finder 6927 .
- An extension 6927 a of the vortex finder extends above the top of filter 6960 to define a dirt collection area, which may be emptied when the lid is opened and the surface cleaning apparatus is inverted.
- the inlet of the suction motor is positioned along the length of one side (preferably the rear side) of the cyclone bin assembly.
- the following is a description of a flow path that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
- the suction motor preferably has an axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis and has an air inlet between the upper end and lower end of the cyclone bin assembly and preferably, between the upper end and the lower end of the cyclone chamber. Accordingly, from the downstream head space 964 , the air may flow to the inlet 973 of the suction motor 911 via an internal air conduit 974 formed within the body 901 . Air may be drawn through the suction motor 911 and then be exhausted from a motor outlet 975 , and expelled via the clear air outlet 904 (see also FIG. 6 ).
- the internal air conduit 974 is formed within the main body 901 and is external the cyclone chamber 913 and the dirt collection chamber 914 and is partially bounded by an exterior surface of the cyclone chamber sidewall 921 and an exterior surface of the dirt collection chamber sidewall 915 .
- the air conduit 974 extends generally vertically between the pre-motor filter chamber 956 and the suction motor 911 , and is positioned laterally intermediate the suction motor 911 and the cyclone chamber 913 .
- the suction motor 911 is positioned at an elevation where its air inlet 973 is vertically between the upper and lower ends of the cyclone chamber 913 , and the motor axis 926 passes through the cyclone chamber 913 (above the dirt collection chamber—see FIG. 6 ).
- the inlet axis 925 intersects the air conduit 974 and is positioned below and does not intersect the pre-motor filter chamber 956 .
- the internal air conduit 974 may extend downwardly at an angle to the vertical. It may or may not be bounded on one side by the sidewall of the cyclone chamber and/or the dirt collection chamber.
- a bleed valve 976 may be provided to supply bleed air to the suction motor inlet 973 in case of a clog in the air flow path upstream from the suction motor 911 .
- the air flow path may become clogged or otherwise blocked in a number of different ways, including, for example if a cleaning wand and/or suction hose becomes blocked with debris, if the cyclone chamber becomes fouled with debris and/or if the pre-motor filters are soiled to an extent that it significantly impedes airflow through the filters.
- the bleed valve 976 can be positioned and configured to supply bleed air into the airflow path at a location that is upstream from the suction motor inlet 973 and downstream from the likely clog or blockage locations.
- the bleed valve 976 may be positioned to supply bleed air to the air flow path 974 between the pre-motor filter chamber 956 and the suction motor inlet 973 .
- the bleed valve 976 may be any suitable valve, including a pressure sensitive valve that is opened automatically when there is a blockage in the air flow path upstream from the suction motor 911 .
- the bleed valve 976 extends along a valve axis 977 that is generally parallel to the suction motor axis 926 , and is generally orthogonal to the cyclone axis 920 .
- a port 978 is provided in the main body 901 , in air flow communication with the inlet end of the bleed valve 976 .
- the outlet end of the bleed valve is in communication with the air conduit 974 .
- the bleed valve 976 is located at an elevation between the pre-motor filter chamber 956 and the suction motor 911 , partially laterally underlies the pre-motor filter chamber 956 (and the filters 960 , 961 therein) and partially laterally overlies the suction motor 911 and its housing 912 .
- the bleed valve 976 may be located at a different elevation (for example below the suction motor and/or in line with or above the pre-motor filter chamber) and need not laterally overlap the suction motor, pre-motor filter chambers or the filters therein.
- the bleed valve may be provided in a different location.
- FIG. 16 a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 6900 is shown. Apparatus 6900 is similar to apparatus 900 , and analogous features are identified using like reference numerals indexed by 6000.
- the bleed valve 6976 is positioned within the pre-motor filter chamber 6956 and is generally vertically oriented, along axis 6977 . In the illustrated example, the bleed valve 6976 is generally co-axial with the cyclone chamber 6913 .
- a port 6978 is provided in the upper cover 6959 of the pre-motor filter housing 6956 and is in air flow communication with the inlet end of the bleed valve 6976 .
- the outlet end of the bleed valve 6976 is in air flow communication with the air conduit 6974 via a conduit 6979 or optionally via the downstream headspace 6964 , to supply the outside air to the suction motor in the event that the pre-motor filters are blocked.
- the conduit 6979 can be any suitable conduit and can be sized to supply a desired quantity of air to the suction motor 6911 .
- the surface cleaning apparatus may be provided with one or more handles to allow a user to grasp and manipulate the surface cleaning apparatus.
- Each handle may have one or more grip portions and may be configured to allow the user to grasp the handle in one or more configurations and/or orientations.
- Providing a generally upright or pistol-grip style handle may allow a user to grasp the surface cleaning apparatus while keeping his/her wrist in a comfortable, ergonomic position.
- handle 902 is configured as a generally upright handle and includes a grip portion 980 that is configured as a pistol-grip style handle.
- the handle 902 has a first or bottom end 981 that is adjacent the suction motor housing 912 (e.g., the upper surface thereof) and a second or upper end 982 that is spaced above from the lower end 981 .
- the upper end 981 of the handle may be adjacent the rear side wall of the housing of the pre-motor filter chamber 956 or may be attached to bridge portion that extends rearwardly from the pre-motor filter housing.
- the hand grip portion 980 may extend along a handle axis 983 .
- the handle axis 983 is inclined slightly forwardly, and forms and angle 983 a , relative to a vertical axis.
- the angle 983 a can be any suitable angle, and preferably is between about 0-45°, and may be between about 20-35°.
- the handle axis 983 intersects the cyclone axis, the suction motor axis 926 and suction motor housing 912 and a bridge portion 901 a of the main body that is an extension of the pre-motor filter housing 956 .
- the perimeter of the opening 984 is formed by an upper portion 912 a ( FIG. 7 ) of the suction motor housing 912 , the front surface 980 a of the hand grip portion 980 , a rear portion of the pre-motor filter chamber sidewall 958 and connecting portions of the main body.
- the air inlet port for the bleed valve 976 may be formed in one of the surfaces forming the perimeter of the handle opening 984 .
- the primary on/off power switch for the surface cleaning apparatus is positioned proximate the handle 902 , so that a user may turn the vacuum cleaner on or off while holding it by the handle 902 .
- the primary power switch 985 is provided on the upper end of the handle 902 and is configured so that it can be pressed by the thumb of a user while holding the hand grip portion 980 .
- the hand grip portion 980 can include an internal passage for routing electrical wires or mechanical linkages to provide communication between the primary power switch and the electrical circuit powering the suction motor 911 .
- the primary power switch 985 can be positioned so that it is intersected by the handle axis 9083 .
- the primary power switch 985 may be provided at another suitable location.
- the handle 902 can be positioned so that the hand weight of the surface cleaning apparatus when held in a horizontally disposed position (e.g., axis 988 is horizontal) is less than 2 lbs, preferably less than 1 lbs and more preferably about 0 lbs, thereby reducing the stress on a user's wrist. Accordingly, the user may experience only a slight down force even though the motor is below the handle.
- the handle 902 may accordingly be positioned so that it is behind the centre of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus.
- the handle may also be configured so that all or a portion of it (e.g., the portion gripped by a user) is located at a higher elevation than the centre of gravity.
- Positioning the handle behind and optionally above the centre of gravity may result in the surface cleaning apparatus tending to tip forwardly when being held horizontally by a user. This may tend to rotate the front of the surface cleaning apparatus downwardly when the surface cleaning apparatus is in use and may allow at least a portion of the weight of the surface cleaning apparatus to be carried by a surface cleaning head (or other tool) that rollingly contacts the floor.
- the centre of gravity 986 is located in a vertical plane 987 that is forward of the handle and horizontal plane 988 that lies below the lower end 981 of the handle 902 .
- the handle axis 983 does not intersect the centre of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus.
- detachable motor housing may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
- the suction motor and at least a portion of its surrounding motor housing may be detachable from the main body of the surface cleaning apparatus.
- FIGS. 10 and 11 an alternate embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 7900 is shown.
- Apparatus 7900 is generally similar to apparatus 900 and analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by 7000.
- the suction motor housing 7912 can be detachably connected to the main body 7901 , so that the suction motor housing 7912 , and the suction motor therein, can be separated from the cyclone bin assembly 7910 , handle 7902 and, preferably, pre-motor filter housing 7956 .
- the suction motor and related electrical components may form a significant portion of the weight of the surface cleaning apparatus 7900 . Separating the suction motor housing 7912 from the main body 7901 may allow a user to manipulate the main body 7901 and empty the dirt collection chamber 7914 and cyclone 7913 using the handle 7902 without having to carry around the extra weight of the suction motor.
- the detachable suction motor housing module 7912 may removably coupled to the main body 7901 using any suitable attachment mechanisms.
- the attachment mechanism is a latch 7990 that can be triggered by a user.
- the suction motor module 7912 includes an air inlet port 7991 that is configured to be coupled to a reciprocal air outlet port 7992 on the main body 7901 .
- the ports 7991 , 7992 may be of any compatible configurations, and one or more seals or gasket members may be provided at their interface to help provide an air-tight connection.
- the suction motor module 7912 also includes at least one control/electrical connection that is configured to mate with a corresponding control port on the main body 7901 .
- the on/off switch 7985 on the main body 7901 is an electrical switch
- the control connection between the suction motor module 7912 and the main body includes mating electrical connectors (e.g., male prongs 7993 and a female electrical socket 7994 ) to supply electricity to the switch 7985 .
- primary on/off switch 7985 may be a mechanical switch that is connected to the suction motor module via a mechanical linkage.
- control connection can include a mechanical linkage to translate movements of the on/off switch to open and close an electrical circuit in the suction motor housing.
- control signals may be transmitted wireless (e.g. via radio signal) or in any other suitable manner between the on/off switch and the suction motor housing.
- the suction motor module and the main body need not include a physical control connection.
- the surface cleaning apparatus 7900 can be configured so that most or all of the electrical components are located within the suction motor housing 7912 .
- the motor housing 7912 when the motor housing 7912 is separated from the main body 7901 , substantially all of the components remaining in the main body 7901 may be washed without exposing the suction motor and other electrical components to water or other cleaning materials. This may help prevent inadvertent damage to the electrical components when washing the surface cleaning apparatus 7900 .
- the surface cleaning apparatus may be an upright-style surface cleaning apparatus or a canister-style cleaning apparatus that includes a cyclone bin assembly having some or all of the features described herein.
- FIG. 17 an alternate embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus 8900 is shown.
- Apparatus 8900 includes a dirty air inlet 8903 , a clean air outlet 8904 and a cyclone bin assembly 8910 mounted to a suction motor housing 8912 .
- a pre-motor filter chamber 8956 is defined between the cyclone bin assembly 8910 and the motor housing 8912 .
- the cyclone bin assembly 8910 , suction motor housing 8912 and pre-motor filter chamber 8956 may include some or all of the features described herein, alone or in combination with each other.
- Apparatus 9900 includes a dirty air inlet 9903 , a clean air outlet 9904 and a cyclone bin assembly 9910 mounted to a suction motor housing 9912 .
- a pre-motor filter chamber 9956 is defined between the cyclone bin assembly 9910 and the motor housing 9912 .
- the cyclone bin assembly 9910 , suction motor housing 9912 and pre-motor filter chamber 9956 may include some or all of the features described herein, alone or in combination with each other.
- FIG. 19 another embodiment of a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus 10900 is shown.
- the surface cleaning apparatus 10900 is similar to surface cleaning apparatus 900 , and like features are indicated using analogous reference numbers indexed by 10,000.
- the surface cleaning apparatus 900 includes a main body 10901 having a handle 10902 , a dirty air inlet 10903 , a clean air outlet 10904 (see for example FIG. 26 ) and an air flow path extending therebetween.
- the dirty air inlet 10903 is the inlet end of connector 10906 .
- the inlet end 10905 can be used to directly clean a surface.
- the inlet end can be connected to the downstream end of any suitable cleaning tool or accessory, including, for example a wand, a nozzle and a flexible suction hose.
- the connector 10906 may be any suitable connector that is operable to connect to, and preferably detachably connect to, a cleaning tool or other accessory.
- the connector may also include an electrical connection 10909 ( FIG. 20 ).
- Providing an electrical connection 10909 may allow cleaning tools and accessories that are coupled to the connector 10906 to be powered by the surface cleaning apparatus 10900 .
- the surface cleaning unit 10900 can be used to provide both power and suction to a surface cleaning head, or other suitable tool.
- the connector 10909 includes an electrical coupling in the form of a female socket member, and a corresponding male prong member may be provided on the cleaning tools and/or accessories. Providing the female socket on the electrified side of the electrical coupling may help prevent a user from inadvertently contacting the electrical contacts.
- the main body portion 10901 of the surface cleaning apparatus includes a core cleaning unit 11000 and an outer shell 11001 .
- the core cleaning unit 11000 is a generally, self-contained functional unit that includes the dirty air inlet 10903 , air treatment member 10910 , pre-motor filter chamber 10956 , suction motor 10911 and clean air outlet 10904 .
- the outer shell includes mating side panels 11002 , the handle portion 11003 of the surface cleaning apparatus (including the primary power switch 10985 ) and an openable pre-motor filter chamber cover 10959 .
- the exposed outer surfaces of the surface cleaning apparatus 10900 are formed from a combination of portions of the core cleaning unit 11000 and the outer shell 11001 .
- the external suction motor housing 10912 and handle 10902 are provided by the outer shell 11001 , whereas the shell is shaped so that portions of the cyclone bin assembly 10910 sidewalls remain visible in the assembled configuration. If these portions are at least partially transparent, they can allow a user to see into the dirt collection chamber 10914 to determine if the dirt collection chamber 10914 is getting full.
- the air flow path extends through the cyclone bin assembly 10910 which forms part of the main body of the surface cleaning apparatus.
- a suction motor 10911 (see FIG. 26 ) is mounted within a motor housing frame 11004 ( FIG. 21 ) of the core cleaning unit 11000 and is in fluid communication with the cyclone bin assembly 10910 .
- the suction motor 10911 is downstream from the cyclone bin assembly 10910 and the clean air outlet 10904 is downstream from the suction motor 10911 .
- the cyclone bin assembly 10901 includes a cyclone chamber 10913 and a dirt collection chamber 10914 .
- the dirt collection chamber 10914 comprises a sidewall 10915 , a first end wall 10916 and an opposing second end wall 10917 .
- the dirt collection chamber 10914 may be emptyable by any means known in the art and is preferably openable concurrently with the cyclone chamber 10913 .
- the second dirt collection chamber end wall 10917 is pivotally connected to the dirt collection chamber sidewall by hinge 10919 .
- the second dirt collection chamber end wall 10913 functions as an openable door to empty the dirt collection chamber 10914 and can be opened ( FIGS. 24 and 25 ) to empty dirt and debris from the interior of the dirt collection chamber 10914 .
- the second dirt collection chamber end wall 10917 can be retained in the closed position by any means known in the art, such as by a releasable latch 10919 a .
- the hinge 10919 is provided on a back edge of the end wall 10917 and the latch 10919 a is provided at the front of the end wall 10917 so that the door swings backwardly when opened.
- the hinge 10919 and latch 10919 a may be in different positions, and the door 10917 may open in a different direction or manner.
- the end wall 10917 may be removable.
- the cyclone chamber 10913 extends along a cyclone axis 10920 and is bounded by a sidewall 10921 .
- the cyclone chamber 10913 includes an air inlet 10922 and an air outlet 10923 that is in fluid connection downstream from the air inlet 10922 and one dirt outlet 10924 in communication with the dirt collection chamber 10914 .
- the dirt collection chamber 10914 is positioned adjacent the cyclone chamber 10913 and at least partially surrounds the cyclone chamber 10913 in a side-by-side configuration.
- the air inlet 10922 is generally tangentially oriented relative to the sidewall 10921 , so that air entering the cyclone chamber will tend to swirl and circulate within the cyclone chamber 10913 , thereby dis-entraining dirt and debris from the air flow, before leaving the chamber via the air outlet 10923 .
- the air inlet 10922 extends along an inlet axis 10925 that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis 10920 , and in the illustrated example is generally parallel to and offset above the suction motor axis 10926 .
- the cyclone air outlet 10923 includes a vortex finder 10927 .
- a screen 10928 can be positioned over the vortex finder 10927 to help filter lint, fluff and other fine debris.
- the screen 10928 can be removable.
- the air inlet 10922 has an inlet diameter 10934 , and a related inlet flow cross-sectional area (measure in a plane perpendicular to the inlet axis).
- the air outlet 10923 is sized so that the diameter 10932 of the air outlet 10923 , and therefore the corresponding flow area of the air outlet 10923 , is the same as the diameter of the air inlet.
- the air outlet diameter 10932 may be between about 50% and about 150%, and between about 85-115% of the air inlet diameter 10925 .
- the cyclone bin assembly 10910 , and the cyclone chamber 10913 are arranged in a generally vertical, uniflow cyclone configuration.
- the air inlet is located toward one end of the cyclone chamber and the air outlet is provided toward the other end of the cyclone chamber.
- the air inlet 10922 is provided toward the lower end of the cyclone chamber 10913 and the air outlet 10923 is provided toward the upper end of the cyclone chamber 10913 , such that air flows into the bottom of the cyclone chamber 10913 and exits at the top of the cyclone chamber 10913 .
- the locations of the air inlet and outlet can be reversed.
- the cyclone bin assembly 10910 and cyclone chamber 10913 can be provided in another orientation, including, for example, as a horizontal cyclone.
- the cyclone sidewall 10921 can coincide with portions of the external sidewalls of the cyclone bin assembly 10910 and the dirt collection chamber sidewall 10915 .
- the front portion of the cyclone chamber sidewall 10921 is coincident with the outer sidewall of the cyclone bin assembly 10910 , and the rear portion of the cyclone sidewall 10921 helps separate the cyclone chamber 10913 from the dirt collection chamber 10914 . This may help reduce the overall size of the cyclone bin assembly 10910 .
- the sidewall 10921 may be distinct from the sidewalls 10915 .
- the cyclone chamber 10913 may include only two dirt outlets 10924 , or more than two dirt outlets.
- the cyclone chamber 10913 includes a first or upper end wall 10937 ( FIG. 23 ) and a second or lower end wall 10943 .
- the upper end wall 10937 is connected to the upper end of the sidewall 10921 .
- a juncture 10938 between the end wall 10937 and the side wall 10921 is a relatively sharp corner that does not include any type of angled or radiused surface.
- the lower end wall 10943 meets the lower end of the cyclone sidewall 10921 at a juncture 11005 that includes a curved juncture surface 11006 (see also FIG. 27 ).
- the radius 11007 of the curved surface 11006 may be selected based on the radius of the air inlet (e.g. half of the diameter 10934 ), and optionally may be the selected so that the juncture surface 11006 has the same radius as the air inlet 10922 .
- the curved juncture surface can be provided as a portion of the sidewall or as a portion of the endwall.
- the curved juncture surface 11006 is provided as part of an insert member 11008 that is provided on the bottom end wall and extends upward into the interior of the cyclone chamber 10913 .
- the insert member also includes an upwardly extending projection member 11009 that extends into the interior of the cyclone chamber and engages the distal end 10930 of the screen ( FIG. 23 ).
- the vortex finder 10927 , screen 10928 and projection member 11009 form a generally continuous internal column member that extends between the first and second end walls 10937 and 10943 of the cyclone chamber 10910 .
- Providing the projection member 11009 may help direct air flow within the cyclone chamber, and may help support and/or stabilize the distal end 10930 of the screen 10928 .
- the juncture 11010 between the end wall 10943 and the projection member 11009 may include a curved surface 11011 (see FIGS. 23 and 26 ), and preferably is sized so that the surface 11011 has a radius 11012 that is the same as radius 11007 .
- Providing curved surfaces 11006 and 11011 at the junctures between the end wall 10943 and the sidewall 10921 may help reduce backpressure and may help improve cyclone efficiency.
- the two curved juncture surfaces 11006 and 11011 are separated by a generally flat, planar transition surface 11013 , having a width 11014 .
- Providing a flat transition surface 11013 may help improve air flow, and/or reduce back pressure to help improve cyclone efficiency.
- the second end wall 10943 of the cyclone chamber 10913 , and the insert member 11008 provided thereon, is integral with the openable bottom door 10917 that provides the bottom wall of the dirt collection chamber 10914 .
- opening the door simultaneously opens the cyclone chamber 10913 and the dirt collection chamber 10914 (see for example FIGS. 24 and 25 ) for emptying.
- the dirt outlet 10924 is in the form of a slot having bottom and side edges provided by the cyclone chamber sidewall 10921 , and a top edge provided by the upper end wall 10937 .
- all four edges of the slot 10924 may be provided by the cyclone chamber sidewall 10921 .
- the dirt slot 10924 is positioned at the back of the cyclone chamber 10921 and is generally opposite the air inlet 10922 .
- the upper wall 10937 of the cyclone chamber is integral with the upper wall 10916 ( FIGS. 23 and 26 ) of the dirt collection chamber 10914 .
- one or more pre-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between the cyclone bin assembly 10910 and the suction motor 10911 .
- one or more post-motor filters may be provided downstream from the suction motor.
- a filter housing construction that may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein is exemplified.
- a pre-motor filter chamber or housing 10956 is provided between the upper walls 10937 , 10916 of the cyclone 10913 and dirt collection chambers 10914 and the openable cover 10959 .
- the bottom wall 10957 of the pre-motor filter chamber 10956 is integral with the upper walls 10937 , 10916 of the cyclone 10913 and dirt collection chambers 10914
- the upper wall 10958 a and sidewall 10958 of the pre-motor filter chamber 10956 are provided via a filter cartridge housing 11015 (see also FIG. 28 ).
- the filter cartridge housing 11015 is separate from the openable cover 10959 .
- One or more filters may be positioned within the pre-motor filter chamber to filter fine particles from the air stream exiting the air outlet, before it flows into inlet of the suction motor.
- the filters may be of any suitable configuration and formed from any suitable materials.
- a foam filter 10960 and a felt filter 10961 are positioned within the pre-motor filter chamber 10956 .
- the filter cartridge is a generally dome shaped member that includes a upper wall 10958 a and a sidewall 10958 extending downwardly from the upper wall to surround the pre-motor filters 10960 , 10961 .
- the pre-motor filters 10960 , 10961 are shaped to fit within the cartridge member 11015 , and when inserted within the cartridge member ( FIG. 29 ) the downstream side 10965 of the felt filter 10961 forms the bottom surface of the filter cartridge 11015 .
- the downstream side 10965 of the pre-motor filter rests on the support ribs 10962 (see FIG. 29 ) on the bottom wall 10957 , and the downstream headspace 10964 ( FIG. 27 ) is defined between the downstream side 10965 of the filter 10961 and the bottom wall 10957 .
- the upstream headspace 10970 ( FIG. 27 ) is provided between the upstream side 10968 of the pre-motor filter 10960 and the upper wall 10958 a of the cartridge housing 11015 (instead of being formed by the cover 10959 ).
- the vortex finder 10927 projects upwardly from the bottom wall 10957 and the filters 10960 and 10961 are provided with a corresponding aperture 10972 to receive the vortex finder 10927 .
- a plurality of spacing ribs 11016 ( FIG. 30 ) are provided on the inner surface of the upper wall 10958 a to keep the upstream surface 10968 of the filter 10960 spaced apart from the inner surface of the upper wall 10958 a to maintain the upstream headspace 10970 .
- the lower rim 11017 of the filter cartridge 11015 housing is configured to seal against the bottom wall 10957 (for example via snap fit or by using any type of suitable gasket or sealing member) to provide a generally air tight pre-motor filter chamber 10956 .
- the sealed chamber 10956 is then covered by openable chamber cover 10959 .
- the chamber cover 10959 need not be air tight.
- at least a portion of both the chamber cover 10959 and the filter cartridge 11015 housing is transparent so that a user can inspect the upstream side 10968 of the pre-motor filter 10960 without having to remove it from the chamber 10956 .
- both the chamber cover 10959 and filter cartridge housing 11015 may be formed from transparent plastic.
- the pre-motor filter 10960 , 10961 When a user wishes to remove, clean, change or otherwise access the pre-motor filter 10960 , 10961 he/she may open the chamber cover 10959 ( FIG. 30 ) to expose the filter cartridge housing 11015 . The user may then detach the filter cartridge housing 11015 and separate it from the bottom wall 10957 . Preferably, the pre-motor filters 10960 , 10961 are snugly received within the filter cartridge housing 11015 (or otherwise retained therein) so that the filters 10960 , 10961 are removed with the filter cartridge housing 11015 and remain inside the filter cartridge housing 11015 until removed by a user.
- the dirty, upstream side 10968 of the filter 10960 remains enclosed by the filter cartridge housing 11015 when separated from the core cleaning unit 11000 , and only the relatively clearer downstream side 10965 of the filter 10961 is exposed. This may help prevent dirt on the upstream side 10968 of the filter 10960 from spilling or from otherwise contacting the user.
- a user can grasp the clean, downstream side 10965 of the filter and remove it from the filter cartridge housing 11015 .
- the upstream side 10968 of the filter can then be cleaned and inspected as desired.
- the upper side 1958 a of the filter cartridge housing 11015 may be provided with a grip member, for example the flange 11018 in the illustrated embodiment ( FIG. 28 ), which may allow a user to firmly grasp and manipulate the filter cartridge housing 11015 .
- the grip member 11018 may be of any suitable configuration and optionally may be provided on other portions of the filter cartridge housing (for example as a ridge or groove in the sidewall).
- the filter cartridge housing 11015 need not include a separate grip member.
- the pre-motor filter chamber 10956 is positioned above the cyclone chamber 10913 and covers the upper end of the cyclone chamber 10913 .
- a plane 10966 FIG. 26
- both planes 10966 , 10967 are generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis 10920 .
- Arranging the filters 10960 , 10961 in this configuration results in the upstream side of the pre-motor filter (in this example the upper side 10968 of the foam filter 10960 ) being spaced further apart from the cyclone chamber 10913 than the downstream side of the pre-motor filter (in this example the lower surface 10965 of the felt filter 10961 ).
- the pre-motor filter chamber 10956 may cover only a portion of the upper end of the cyclone chamber and/or may be laterally spaced apart from the cyclone chamber.
- air exiting the cyclone chamber 10913 can flow into the upstream head space 10970 via the vortex finder 10927 .
- the air can flow laterally across the upstream surface 10968 of the foam filter 10960 , and down through the filters into the downstream head space 10964 .
- the air can flow to the inlet 10973 of the suction motor via an internal air conduit 10974 ( FIG. 26 ) formed within the body 10901 .
- the internal air conduit 10974 is formed within the main body 10901 and is external the cyclone chamber 10913 and the dirt collection chamber 10914 and is partially bounded by an exterior surface exterior surface of the dirt collection chamber sidewall 10915 .
- the air conduit 10974 extends generally vertically between the pre-motor filter chamber 10956 and the suction motor 10911 , and is positioned laterally intermediate the suction motor 10911 and the cyclone chamber 10913 .
- the suction motor 10911 is positioned at an elevation where its air inlet 10973 is vertically between the upper and lower ends of the cyclone chamber 10913 , and the motor axis passes 10926 through the cyclone chamber 10913 and the dirt collection chamber 10914 .
- the cartridge member 11015 can be provided with a bottom cover 11030 to encase the filters 10960 and 10961 and to provide a self-contained pre-motor filter chamber 10956 .
- the bottom cover 11030 may provide the bottom wall 10957 of the pre-motor filter chamber 10956 , and may be provided with internal ribs 10962 to support the filters 10960 , 10961 and to provide the downstream headspace 10964 .
- An outlet port 11031 provided in the bottom cover 11030 allows air to exit the cartridge enclosure 11015 and flow into conduit 10974 . Providing a sealed cartridge may help further contain dirt within the cartridge prior to emptying, and may help keep the filters 10960 and 10961 in position.
- handle 10902 has a first or bottom end 10981 that is adjacent the suction motor housing 10912 , a second or upper end 10982 that is spaced above from the lower end 1981 and a grip portion 10980 extending therebetween.
- a user's fingers may pass through an opening 10984 .
- FIG. 31 a sectional view of an alternate embodiment cyclone bin assembly portion 12910 of a core cleaning unit 13000 that may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein is exemplified.
- the cyclone bin assembly 12910 is similar to bin assembly 10910 , and like features are identified using like reference numerals indexed by 2000.
- the cyclone bin assembly 12910 is illustrated in isolation with the outer shell, filter cartridge member and the suction motor removed.
- the cyclone chamber 12913 is flared such that the cross-sectional area taken in a plane 13020 that passes through the air inlet 12922 (toward the bottom of the cyclone chamber 12913 ) is smaller than the cross-sectional area taken in a plane 13021 that passes through the dirt outlet 12924 , and is smaller than the cross-section area of the upper end wall 12937 of the cyclone chamber 12913 (which includes the air outlet 12923 ).
- the cyclone chamber sidewall 12921 includes a vertical portion 13022 and a generally frusto-conical portion 13023 positioned above the vertical portion 13022 .
- the volume of the cyclone chamber 12913 increases toward the top to the cyclone chamber, which may help improve cyclone efficiency and/or may help dis-entrained dirt exit via the dirt outlet.
- FIG. 32 a sectional view of an alternate embodiment cyclone bin assembly 14910 portion of the core cleaning unit 15000 that may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein is exemplified.
- the cyclone bin assembly 14910 is similar to cyclone bin assembly 10910 , and like elements are represented using analogous reference numbers indexed by 4000.
- the cyclone bin assembly 14910 is illustrated in isolation with the outer shell, filter cartridge member and the suction motor removed.
- the cyclone chamber 14913 is tapered such that the cross-sectional area taken in a plane 15020 that passes through the air inlet 14922 (toward the bottom of the cyclone chamber 14913 ) is larger than the cross-sectional area taken in a plane 15021 that passes through the dirt outlet 14924 , and is larger than the cross-section area of the upper end wall 14937 of the cyclone chamber 14913 (which includes the air outlet 14923 ).
- the cyclone chamber sidewall 14921 includes a vertical portion 15022 and a generally inwardly-tapering frusto-conical portion 15023 positioned above the vertical portion.
- the volume of the cyclone chamber 14913 decreases toward the top to the cyclone chamber, which may help improve cyclone efficiency and/or may help dis-entrained dirt exit via the dirt outlet.
Landscapes
- Engineering & Computer Science (AREA)
- Mechanical Engineering (AREA)
- Filters For Electric Vacuum Cleaners (AREA)
- Cyclones (AREA)
Abstract
Description
- The specification relates to surface cleaning apparatus. In a preferred embodiment, the surface cleaning apparatus comprises a portable surface cleaning apparatus, such as a hand vacuum cleaner or a pod.
- The following is not an admission that anything discussed below is part of the prior art or part of the common general knowledge of a person skilled in the art.
- Various types of surface cleaning apparatus are known. Surface cleaning apparatus include vacuum cleaners. Currently, a vacuum cleaner typically uses at least one cyclonic cleaning stage. More recently, cyclonic hand vacuum cleaners have been developed. See for example, U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,716 and US 2010/0229328. Each of these discloses a hand vacuum cleaner which includes a cyclonic cleaning stage. U.S. Pat. No. 7,931,716 discloses a cyclonic cleaning stage utilizing two cyclonic cleaning stages wherein both cyclonic stages have cyclone axis that extends vertically. US 2010/0229328 discloses a cyclonic hand vacuum cleaner wherein the cyclone axis extends horizontally and is co-axial with the suction motor. In addition, hand carriable (e.g., pod style) cyclonic vacuum cleaners are also known (see U.S. Pat. No. 8,146,201).
- This summary is intended to introduce the reader to the more detailed description that follows and not to limit or define any claimed or as yet unclaimed invention. One or more inventions may reside in any combination or sub-combination of the elements or process steps disclosed in any part of this document including its claims and figures.
- According to one broad aspect, a pod or other hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus, such as a vacuum cleaner, is provided utilizing at least one cyclone stage wherein the cyclone chamber has two dirt outlets which are preferably positioned front and rear. An advantage of this design is that the dirt carrying capacity of the vacuum cleaner may be increased. For example, if the vacuum cleaner is being used and is tilted upwardly, the dirt in the dirt collection chamber will tend to move rearwardly. The amount of dirt in the dirt collection chamber may be below the fill line. However, when the vacuum cleaner is tilted upwardly, movement of the dirt rearwardly may cause the dirt in the dirt collection chamber to extend above the fill line and could potentially block a rearwardly positioned dirt outlet. The provision of a second spaced apart (preferably forwardly positioned) dirt outlet may provide an alternate dirt outlet which may be used in such a situation. Similarly, the hand vacuum cleaner may be tilted forwardly. In such a case, the dirt in the dirt collection chamber may move forwardly blocking a forward dirt outlet. However, the provision of a second spaced apart (preferably rearwardly positioned) dirt outlet may provide an alternate dirt outlet which may be used in such a situation. Accordingly, provision of different dirt outlets may allow the vacuum cleaner to continue to function despite the vacuum cleaner being operated at an angle to the horizontal. It will be appreciated that such a design is usable in hand vacuum cleaners, pod vacuum cleaners or other vacuum cleaners or surface cleaning apparatus which are meant to be carried by a hand or shoulder strap or the like (which may be referred to as hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus).
- It will be appreciated that in a preferred embodiment, the dirt outlets are positioned adjacent the forward end and the rearward end of the cyclone chamber or cyclone chambers. However, it will be appreciated that displacing the dirt outlets from being exactly forward or rearward will still increase the dirt capacity of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus when operated at an angle to the horizontal.
- The cyclone chamber may be of any particular design. Preferably, the cyclone chamber has the dirt outlet provided at a lower end. For example, the vacuum cleaner may have an upper air inlet and an upper air outlet. The dirt outlets may be provided in the sidewall at or close to the lower end wall of the cyclone chamber. Accordingly, the dirt outlets may be defined by cutouts or slots provided in the sidewall of the cyclone chamber. However, it will be appreciated that the dual dirt outlet design may be utilized with other cyclone constructions such as an inverted cyclone (e.g., the air inlet and air outlet are provided at a lower end and the dirt outlets are provided at an upper end of the cyclone chamber).
- Each of the dirt outlets may be the same size. However, in a preferred embodiment, one of the dirt outlets is larger than the other. In addition, the positioning of the dirt outlets with respect to the position of the cyclone air inlet may vary. For example, one or both of the dirt outlets may have a radial extent of 15-135°, preferably 30-105° and, still more preferably, 60-75°. One of the dirt outlets may be positioned at the same radial position on the sidewall of the cyclone chamber as the cyclone air inlet. For example, if the dirt outlet is at the lower end of a cyclone chamber and the air inlet is at the upper end, one of the dirt outlets may be positioned directly below the air inlet such that the radial displacement around the sidewall of the cyclone chamber from the air inlet may be less than 10 degrees. In such an embodiment, it is preferred that the opposed dirt outlet is larger and may be twice as large (e.g., its angular extent may be twice that of the slot which is aligned with the air inlet).
- It will also be appreciated that the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may be mountable on a base, such as a wheeled base or an upper portion of an upright surface cleaning apparatus. In such a case, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may function as the air treatment member of an upright surface cleaning apparatus or a canister style surface cleaning apparatus.
- In another embodiment, an improved air flow path for a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus and, preferably, a hand vacuum cleaner or hand surface cleaning apparatus, is provided. In accordance with this embodiment, the suction motor inlet is positioned below the upper end of the cyclone chamber and preferably at a position between the upper and lower ends of the cyclone chamber or a cyclone bin assembly (e.g., a cyclone bin assembly which includes a cyclone chamber and a dirt collection chamber, wherein the dirt collection chamber may be positioned below the cyclone chamber). According to such an embodiment, the air may enter the cyclone chamber, either at the upper end or the lower end of the cyclone chamber, and exit the cyclone chamber via an air outlet positioned in the upper end wall of the cyclone chamber. The air may then travel through a pre-motor filter. The pre-motor filter is preferably positioned above the cyclone chamber. The air exiting the cyclone chamber may either travel upwardly through the pre-motor filter and then travel downwardly via a conduit provided through the pre-motor filter or at a position that is laterally spaced (e.g., rearwardly) from the pre-motor filter. Alternately, the air exiting the cyclone chamber may pass via a conduit through the pre-motor filter and then travel downwardly through the pre-motor filter before travelling laterally (e.g., rearwardly). A conduit may then extend downwardly from the downstream side of the pre-motor filter (e.g., adjacent the cyclone chamber and/or an exterior dirt collection chamber of the cyclone chamber) to the suction motor inlet. This down flow conduit may be spaced from the cyclone chamber and dirt collection chamber or it may share a common wall with one or both thereof.
- An advantage of this design is that the pre-motor filter may be accessible for cleaning or replacement by opening a panel on the upper portion of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus. Concurrently, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may be emptiable by opening a bottom door. The bottom door may open the cyclone chamber, the dirt collection chamber, and, preferably, both simultaneously. Accordingly, the surface cleaning apparatus is provided in a hand carriable configuration wherein a bottom opening door and an upper opening pre-motor filter chamber is provided.
- It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any of the features of the air flow passage discussed herein may not be utilized with the dual dirt outlet design disclosed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
- In another embodiment, a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus is provided wherein the suction motor is positioned horizontally (e.g., transverse to the vertical axis of the cyclone) and located between the upper and lower ends of the cyclone chamber or a cyclone bin assembly (preferably at or proximate a midpoint of the cyclone or cyclone bin assembly). A handle is provided which extends upwardly from the suction motor housing and is secured to an upper portion of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus. For example, a lower end of the handle may be provided on an upper surface of the suction motor housing. The upper end of the handle may extend to the pre-motor filter housing or a bridging portion which extends rearwardly from the pre-motor filter housing. The handle is preferably positioned so as to be rearward of the centre of gravity of the hand vacuum cleaner. Preferably, the centre of gravity is also located below the lower end of the handle. The handle may also be angled forwardly such that a vertical line extending upwardly from the center of gravity may pass through an upper portion of the handle (preferably a bridging portion extending between the pre-motor filter housing and the upper portion of the handle). An advantage of this design is that the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus has improved ergonomics. The hand vacuum cleaner may impart a downward force of less than two pounds, preferably less than one pound, and preferably essentially no downward force on the hand of the user when the user holds the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus horizontally disposed.
- It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any of the features of the ergonomic design of the hand vacuum cleaner discussed herein may not be utilized with the dual dirt outlet design disclosed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
- In accordance with another embodiment, a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus is provided wherein the dirt collection chamber is removable with the handle of the surface cleaning apparatus for emptying. An advantage of this design is that a user need not carry the entire hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus to a garbage can or the like for emptying the dirt collection chamber. Instead, the user may be able to manipulate a lighter portion while emptying the dirt collection chamber. In addition, utilizing the handle of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus provides an easy way for a user to transport and hold the dirt collection chamber while it is being emptied. In addition, as the dirt collection chamber has been removed from the suction motor, the dirt collection chamber may be washed or otherwise cleaned once removed from the suction motor. It will be appreciated that the dirt collection chamber may be a lower portion of the cyclone chamber or a separate chamber in communication with a dirt outlet of the cyclone chamber. Preferably, if the dirt collection chamber is exterior to the cyclone chamber, then the cyclone chamber and dirt collection chamber may be removable with the handle as a unit (e.g., a cyclone bin assembly). It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any of the features of the removable dirt collection chamber and handle assembly discussed herein may not be utilized with the dual dirt outlet design disclosed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
- In accordance with another embodiment, a bleed valve is provided downstream of the cyclone chamber. For example, the air exiting the cyclone chamber may travel upwardly via a conduit (which may be an extension of the vortex finder) through the pre-motor filters so that the upper side of the pre-motor filter is the upstream or dirty side of the pre-motor filter. In such a construction, the bleed valve may be positioned in the up flow conduit and connect with an air flow passage on the downstream side of the pre-motor filter (e.g., a downstream header of the pre-motor filter). Accordingly, the bleed valve may be positioned so as to draw bleed air in through a port on the upper side of the pre-motor filter housing and convey the bleed air through the up flow conduit from the cyclone chamber to a position downstream of the pre-motor filter. An advantage of this design is that the bleed valve is positioned at a location which will not be blocked during operation of the hand vacuum cleaner and does not require another passage through the pre-motor filter (which would reduce the cross sectional area of the upstream surface area of the pre-motor filter). In an alternate embodiment, it will be appreciated that the bleed valve could be exterior to the up flow conduit and may pass through the pre-motor filter.
- In another embodiment, the bleed valve could be provided on a rearward surface of the surface cleaning apparatus. For example, the bleed valve could be position coaxial with, and above, the suction motor housing. Accordingly, bleed air could travel essentially forwardly through the bleed valve into the down flow conduit adjacent to the cyclone chamber/dirt collection chamber and then rearwardly into the suction motor. In an alternate embodiment, the bleed valve could be radially spaced around the hand vacuum cleaner but still communicate with the down flow passage.
- It will be appreciated by a person skilled in the art that any of the features of the bleed valve discussed herein may not be used with the dual dirt outlet design disclosed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
- In another embodiment, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus has a cyclone chamber with a vertically extending axis and the pre-motor filter is positioned above the cyclone chamber and is preferably positioned so as to extend perpendicular to the axis of the cyclone. Accordingly, the air exiting the cyclone chamber may travel upwardly to the pre-motor filter. In such an embodiment, the lower side of the pre-motor filter may be the upstream side or alternately, the upper side may be the upstream side of the pre-motor filter (if a conduit such as the vortex finder extends through the pre-motor filter). An advantage of this design is that a header may be provided and the air will tend to distribute itself radially outwardly over the entire upstream surface of the pre-motor filter.
- It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any of the features of the positioning of the pre-motor filter discussed herein may not be utilized with the dual dirt outlet design disclosed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
- In another embodiment, a pod or other hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may be provided with a pre-motor filter that is positioned above the cyclone chamber and the vortex finder or an extension thereof may extend through the pre-motor filter to the upstream side of the pre-motor filter. The pre-motor filter may be essentially coaxial with the vortex finder (e.g., the pre-motor filter may overlie the cyclone chamber and be essentially centered above the cyclone chamber). It will be appreciated by those skilled in the art that any of the features of a pre-motor filter with a conduit therethrough disclosed herein may not be utilized with the dual dirt outlet discussed herein, but may be used by itself or in combination with any other feature disclosed herein.
- In one embodiment there is provided a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus having a front end, a rear end and comprising:
-
- (a) a dirty fluid inlet;
- (b) a cyclone bin assembly comprising a cyclone chamber downstream of the dirty fluid inlet, the cyclone chamber comprising a lower end, an upper end, a cyclone axis, an air inlet and an air outlet at the upper end;
- (c) a pre-motor filter comprising an upstream side and a downstream side,
- (d) a conduit in communication with the cyclone air outlet, extending through the pre-motor filter and in communication with the upstream side of the pre-motor filter;
- (e) a suction motor positioned downstream of the pre-motor filter and rearward of the cyclone bin assembly;
- (f) an air flow path extending from the pre-motor filter to the suction motor; and,
- (g) a clean air outlet downstream of the suction motor.
- In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter may be positioned above the cyclone chamber and the upstream side is spaced further from the cyclone chamber than the downstream side.
- In some embodiments, the cyclone air outlet may comprise a vortex finder and the conduit comprises an extension of the vortex finder.
- In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a downstream header on the downstream side of the pre-motor filter. The air flow path may extend downstream from the downstream header.
- In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise an upstream header on the upstream side of the pre-motor filter. The upstream header may be openable.
- In some embodiments, at least a portion of the upstream header may be transparent.
- In some embodiments, the suction motor may have a suction motor inlet that is positioned between the lower and upper ends of the cyclone bin assembly.
- In some embodiments, the suction motor may have a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis.
- In some embodiments, the suction motor may have a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis.
- In some embodiments, the air inlet may be provided at the upper end and the dirt outlet is provided at the lower end and a dirt collection chamber is positioned below the cyclone chamber.
- In some embodiments, the air flow path motor may have a portion that is exterior to and extends part way along an exterior wall of the cyclone chamber to a suction motor inlet.
- In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a dirt collection chamber positioned exterior to the cyclone chamber. The air flow path may have a portion that extends part way along an exterior wall of the dirt collection chamber to a suction motor inlet.
- In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a handle, a suction motor housing and a pre-motor filter housing positioned above the cyclone chamber. The handle may extend between the suction motor housing and the pre-motor filter housing.
- In some embodiments, the pre-motor filter housing may be openable.
- In some embodiments, the suction motor may have a motor axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis.
- In some embodiments, the handle may have a suction motor housing end that is spaced rearward of the cyclone bin assembly and below the pre-motor filter housing and a pre-motor filter end that is spaced above and forward of the suction motor end of the handle.
- In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise an opening having a perimeter. The perimeter may comprise portions of the handle, the pre-motor filer housing and the suction motor housing.
- In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a handle. A portion of the handle may be placed rearward of a centre of gravity of the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus.
- In some embodiments, the hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus may further comprise a bleed valve having an inlet end in the air flow path.
- In some embodiments, the bleed valve may have an axis that is generally parallel to an axis of the suction motor.
- The drawings included herewith are for illustrating various examples of articles, methods, and apparatuses of the teaching of the present specification and are not intended to limit the scope of what is taught in any way.
- In the drawings:
-
FIG. 1 is a perspective view of an example of a hand held surface cleaning apparatus; -
FIG. 2 is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 attached to a cleaning tool; -
FIG. 3 is a partially exploded perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 4 is another partially exploded perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 5 is bottom perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 with the bottom door in an open position; -
FIG. 6 is a cross sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 , taken along line 6-6 inFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 7 is the cross sectional view ofFIG. 6 with the surface cleaning apparatus tilted forward; -
FIG. 8 is the cross sectional view ofFIG. 6 with the surface cleaning apparatus tilted backward; -
FIG. 9 is a side view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 1 ; -
FIG. 10 is a side view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus with the cyclone bin assembly and handle removed for emptying; -
FIG. 11 is a rear perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 10 ; -
FIG. 12 is a schematic top plan representation of an example of a cyclone bin assembly; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic top plan representation of another example of a cyclone bin assembly; -
FIG. 14 is a schematic top plan representation of another example of a cyclone bin assembly; -
FIG. 13 is a schematic top plan representation of another example of a cyclone bin assembly; -
FIG. 16 is a cross sectional view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus; -
FIG. 17 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus; -
FIG. 18 is a perspective view of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus; -
FIG. 19 is a perspective view from the front of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus; -
FIG. 20 is another perspective view from the rear of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 21 is a partially exploded perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 22 is a perspective view of a portion of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 23 is a cross sectional view of theFIG. 22 , taken along line 23-23 inFIG. 22 ; -
FIG. 24 is the cross sectional view ofFIG. 23 with a bottom door in an open position; -
FIG. 25 is a bottom perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 26 is a cross sectional view of the surface cleaning apparatus of -
FIG. 19 , taken along line 26-26 inFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 27 is a cross sectional view taken along line 27-27 inFIG. 19 ; -
FIG. 28 is a perspective view of the surface cleaning apparatus ofFIG. 19 with a cover open; -
FIG. 29 is the perspective view ofFIG. 28 with a filter cartridge removed; -
FIG. 30 is the perspective view ofFIG. 29 with a filter removed from the filter cartridge; -
FIG. 31 is a cross sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus; -
FIG. 32 is a cross sectional view of a portion of another embodiment of a surface cleaning apparatus; -
FIG. 33 is the perspective view ofFIG. 29 with a different embodiment of a filter cartridge; and, -
FIG. 34 is a cross sectional view of the filter cartridge taken along line 34-34 inFIG. 33 with the filter cartridge in the surface cleaning apparatus. - Referring to
FIG. 1 , an embodiment of asurface cleaning apparatus 900 is shown. In the embodiment illustrated, thesurface cleaning apparatus 900 is a hand carriable or hand-held vacuum cleaner. It will be appreciated thatsurface cleaning apparatus 900 could be carried by a hand of a user, a shoulder strap or the like and could be in the form of a pod or other portable surface cleaning apparatus.Surface cleaning apparatus 900 could be a vacuum cleaner, an extractor or the like. All such surface cleaning apparatus are referred to herein as a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus. Optionally,surface cleaning apparatus 900 could be removably mounted on a base so as to form, for example, an upright vacuum cleaner, a canister vacuum cleaner, a stick vac, a wet-dry vacuum cleaner and the like. Power can be supplied to thesurface cleaning apparatus 900 by an electrical cord (not shown) that can be connected to a standard wall electrical outlet. Alternatively, or in addition, the power source for the surface cleaning apparatus can be an onboard energy storage device, including, for example, one or more batteries. - The
surface cleaning apparatus 900 comprises amain body 901 having ahandle 902, adirty air inlet 903, a clean air outlet 904 (see for exampleFIG. 6 ) and an air flow path extending therebetween. In the embodiment shown, thedirty air inlet 903 is theinlet end 905 ofconnector 906. Optionally, the inlet end can be used to directly clean a surface. Alternatively, theinlet end 905 can be connected to the downstream end of any suitable hose, cleaning tool or accessory, including, for example awand 907 that is pivotally connected to a surface cleaning head 908 (FIG. 2 ), a nozzle and a flexible suction hose. In the configuration illustrated inFIG. 2 , thesurface cleaning apparatus 900 can be used to clean a floor or other surface in a manner analogous to conventional upright-style vacuum cleaners. - Referring again to
FIG. 1 , theconnector 906 may be any suitable connector that is operable to connect to, and preferably detachably connect to, a hose, cleaning tool or other accessory. Optionally, in addition to providing an air flow connection, theconnector 906 may also include an electrical connection. Providing an electrical connection may allow cleaning tools and accessories that are coupled to the connector to be powered by thesurface cleaning apparatus 900. For example, thesurface cleaning unit 900 can be used to provide both power and suction to a surface cleaning head, or other suitable tool. In the illustrated embodiment, theconnector 906 includes an electrical coupling in the form of afemale socket member 909, and a corresponding male prong member may be provided on the hose, cleaning tool and/or accessory that is connected toinlet end 905. Providing thefemale socket 909 on the electrified side of the electrical coupling may help prevent a user from inadvertently contacting the electrical contacts. In other embodiments,socket member 909 may include male connectors. In such a case, it is preferred that the male connectors are de-energized when exposed (i.e., they are not plugged into a female connector). - From the
dirty air inlet 903, the air flow path extends through an air treatment member. The air treatment member may be any suitable member that can treat the air in a desired manner, including, for example, removing dirt particles and debris from the air. In the illustrated example, the air treatment member includes acyclone bin assembly 910. Alternatively, the air treatment member can comprise a bag, a filter or other air treating means. In the illustrated embodiment, the cyclone bin assembly forms part of themain body 901 of the surface cleaning apparatus. A suction motor 911 (seeFIG. 6 ) is mounted within amotor housing 912 portion of themain body 901 and is in fluid communication with thecyclone bin assembly 910. In this configuration, thesuction motor 911 is downstream from thecyclone bin assembly 910 and theclean air outlet 904 is downstream from thesuction motor 911. - The following is a description of a cyclone and a cyclone bin assembly that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
- Referring to
FIGS. 5 and 6 , in the illustrated embodiment, thecyclone bin assembly 910 includes acyclone chamber 913 and adirt collection chamber 914. Thecyclone chamber 913 and thedirt collection chamber 914 may be of any suitable configuration. - In the illustrated embodiment the
dirt collection chamber 914 is positioned outside or exterior to and substantially below thecyclone chamber 913. Preferably, a least a portion, if not all, of the dirt collection chamber is below the cyclone chamber. Thedirt collection chamber 914 comprises asidewall 915, afirst end wall 916 and an opposedsecond end wall 917. Thedirt collection chamber 914 extends along adirt collection axis 918. - The
dirt collection chamber 914 may be emptyable by any means known in the art and is preferably openable concurrently with thecyclone chamber 913. Preferably, the second dirt collectionchamber end wall 917 is moveably (e.g., pivotally) connected to e.g., the dirtcollection chamber sidewall 915, forexample using hinge 919. In this configuration, the second dirt collectionchamber end wall 917 functions as an openable door to empty thedirt collection chamber 914 and can be opened as shown inFIG. 5 to empty dirt and debris from the interior of thedirt collection chamber 914. The second dirt collectionchamber end wall 917 can be retained in the closed position by any means known in the art, such as by areleasable latch 919 a. In the illustrated example, thehinge 919 is provided on a back edge of theend wall 917 and thelatch 919 a is provided at the front of theend wall 917 so that the door swings backwardly when opened. Alternatively, the hinge and latch may be in different positions, and the door may open in a different direction or manner. Optionally, instead of being pivotal or openable, the end wall may be removable. - In the embodiment shown, the
cyclone chamber 913 extends along acyclone axis 920 and is bounded by asidewall 921. Thecyclone chamber 913 includes anair inlet 922 and anair outlet 923 and twodirt outlets dirt collection chamber 914. The air inlet, air outlet and dirt outlets may be of any design known in the art. Preferably, theair inlet 922 is generally tangentially oriented relative to thesidewall 921, so that air entering thecyclone chamber 913 will tend to swirl and circulate within thecyclone chamber 913, thereby dis-entraining dirt and debris from the air flow, before leaving the chamber via theair outlet 923. Theair inlet 922 extends along aninlet axis 925 that may be generally perpendicular to thecyclone axis 920, and in the illustrated example is generally parallel to and offset above asuction motor axis 926. - In the illustrated example, the
cyclone air outlet 923 comprises a conduit member orvortex finder 927. Optionally, ascreen 928 can be positioned over thevortex finder 927 to help filter lint, fluff and other fine debris. Preferably, thescreen 928 can be removable. Optionally, thescreen 928 can be tapered such that the distal, inner orfree end 930 of thescreen 928 has asmaller diameter 931 than the diameter 932 at thebase 933 of thescreen 928 and/or theair inlet 922. - Optionally, the
screen 928 can be configured so that thediameter 931 of thefree end 930 of the screen is between about 60% and about 100% of the diameter 932 of thebase 933 of thescreen 928 and/or theair inlet 922, and may be between about 60%-90%, about 70-80% and preferably is between about 63-67% of the base diameter 932 and/or theair inlet 922. - The
air inlet 922 has aninlet diameter 934, and a related inlet flow cross-sectional area (measure in aplane 935 perpendicular to the inlet axis 925). Preferably, theair outlet 923 is sized so that thediameter 936 of theair outlet 923, and therefore the corresponding flow area of the air outlet, is the same as thediameter 934 of theair inlet 922. Alternatively, theair outlet diameter 936 may be between about 50% and about 150%, and between about 85-115% of theair inlet diameter 934. - In the example illustrated the
cyclone bin assembly 910 and thecyclone chamber 913 are arranged in a generally vertical, inverted cyclone configuration. In this configuration, theair inlet 922 and theair outlet 923 are provided toward the upper end of thecyclone chamber 913. Alternatively, thecyclone bin assembly 910 andcyclone chamber 913 can be provided in another orientation, including, for example, as a horizontal cyclone or in other configurations, e.g., with the dirt collection chamber beside the cyclone chamber and/or with the inlet and outlets at differing positions. - Optionally, some or all of the
sidewall 921 can coincide with portions of the external sidewalls of thecyclone bin assembly 910 and the dirt collection chamber sidewall 915 (seeFIGS. 5 and 6 ). This may help reduce the overall size of the cyclone bin assembly. Alternative, thesidewall 921 may be distinct from the sidewalls. In alternative embodiments, thecyclone chamber 915 may include only a single dirt outlet 924, or more than two dirt outlets. - Referring to
FIG. 7 , in the illustrated embodiment, thecyclone chamber 913 includes a first orupper end wall 937. Theend wall 937 is connected to the upper end of thesidewall 921 to enclose the upper end of thecyclone chamber 913. In the illustrated example, ajuncture 938 between theend wall 937 and theside wall 921 includes acurved surface 939. Theradius 940 of thecurved surface 939 may be selected to be similar to the radius (i.e. half of the diameter 934) of theair inlet 922, and optionally may be selected so that thejuncture surface 939 has the same radius as the air inlet. - Optionally, the
juncture 941 between theend wall 937 and thevortex finder 927 may also be curved, and preferably is sized to have aradius 942 that is similar to or is the same as theradius 940 of the juncture between theend wall 937 and thesidewall 921. Providing curved surfaces at one or both of thejunctures upper end wall 937 of thecyclone chamber 913 can be openable or removable to allow access to the interior of thecyclone chamber 913 from above. - Referring also to
FIG. 5 , a deflector orarrestor plate 943 may be positioned at the lower end of thecyclone chamber 913, at the interface between thecyclone chamber 913 and thedirt collection chamber 917. Thearrestor plate 943 is preferably sized to cover substantially all of the lower end of thecyclone chamber 913, and to abut the lower end of thecyclone sidewall 921 to form a lower end wall of the cyclone chamber. When thearrestor plate 943 abuts the lower ends of thesidewall 921 it helps define the gaps or slots that form thedirt outlets dirt outlet slots cyclone chamber sidewall 921 and on a fourth side by thearrestor plate 943. Alternatively, thedirt outlet slots sidewall 921 and may be spaced apart from thearrestor plate 943. In the illustrated example thedirt outlets air inlet 922 andair outlet 923 and are positioned at the opposite, lower end of thecyclone chamber 913. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
arrestor plate 943 forms the bottom of the cyclone chamber and may be of any suitable configuration. Optionally thearrestor plate 943 may be fixed in its position adjacent thesidewall 921, or may be moveable or openable. Providing anopenable arrestor plate 943 may help facilitate emptying of thecyclone chamber 913. Optionally, thearrestor plate 943 may be openable concurrently with another portion of the surface cleaning apparatus, including, for example, thedirt collection chamber 917. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
arrestor plate 943 is mounted to and supported spaced from theopenable wall 917 by asupport member 944. Thesupport member 944 may be of any suitable configuration and may be formed from any suitable material that is capable of supporting thearrestor plate 943 and resisting stresses exerted on thearrestor plate 943 by the air flow in the cyclone chamber or dirt particles exiting thecyclone chamber 913. In this configuration, thearrestor plate 943 is openable concurrently with theend wall 917, so that opening theend wall 917 simultaneously opens thedirt collection chamber 914 and thecyclone chamber 913. Alternatively, thearrestor plate 943 may be mounted to the sidewall 921 (or other portion of the surface cleaning apparatus) and need not open in unison with theend wall 917. - Referring to
FIG. 8 , eachdirt outlet upper edge 945 and alower edge 946 spaced apart from each other by aslot height 947, measured axially. Theslot height 947 may be any suitable distance, including for example, between 1 mm and 49 mm or more, and preferably is between about 3 mm and about 25 mm. Eachslot FIG. 5 ) spaced apart by aslot width 949, measured along the perimeter of thecyclone chamber sidewall 921. Each slot width may be between about 5% and about 50% of the perimeter of thecyclone chamber sidewall 921, and preferably may be between about 10% and about 35% and may be about 25%. In the illustrated embodiment thecyclone chamber sidewall 921 is circular in axial cross-sectional shape, and the angle 950 (FIG. 5 ) subtended by thedirt outlet 924 b may between about 20° and about 180°, and may be between about 35° and 125°, and between about 45° and 90°. In the illustrated embodiment theangle 951 between thedirt outlets FIG. 5 ) is 180°. Optionally, thedirt outlets dirt outlets dirt outlet 924 b and may be about half the size. - Referring to
FIG. 12 , a cross-sectional schematic representation of an alternate embodiment of acyclone bin assembly 2910 is shown. Thecyclone bin assembly 2910 is generally similar tocyclone bin assembly 910 and analogous features are indicated using like reference characters indexed by 2000. This schematic illustrates a top view of an example of acircular cyclone chamber 2913 positioned within a generally squaredirt collection chamber 2914. Thecyclone chamber 2913 includes atangential air inlet 2922 and anair outlet 2923. Twodirt outlets cyclone chamber sidewall 2921. Theangle 2951 between thedirt outlets first dirt slot 2924 a, in the direction of air circulation (arrow 2953), is approximately 90°, and theangle 2952 b between theair inlet 2922 and thesecond dirt slot 2924 b is about 270°. Alternatively, angles 2952 a and 2952 b may be different. - In the illustrated configuration, each slot subtends an
angle 2950 a, 2950 b that is about 45°, the leading edge (in the direction of air circulation) ofdirt slot 2924 a is aligned with the leading edge ofdirt slot 2924 b, and the trailing edge (in the direction of air circulation) ofdirt slot 2924 a is aligned with the trailing edge ofdirt slot 2924 b. - Referring to
FIG. 13 , a cross-sectional schematic representation of another alternate embodiment of acyclone bin assembly 3910 is shown.Cyclone bin assembly 3910 is generally similar tocyclone bin assembly 910, and analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by 3000. This embodiment is similar to the embodiment ofFIG. 12 , except that the position of thedirt outlets 3924 a and 3924 b has been shifted by 90° relative to theair inlet 3922. In this configuration, theangle 3951 between thedirt outlets 3924 a, 3924 b remains 180°, but the angle between thedirt outlet 3924 a and the air inlet is 0° and theangle 3952 b between the dirt outlet 3924 b and the air inlet is 180°. - Referring to
FIG. 14 , a cross-sectional schematic representation of another alternate embodiment of a cyclone bin assembly is shown.Cyclone bin assembly 4910 is generally similar tocyclone bin assembly 910, and analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by 4000. In this example, theindividual dirt slots FIGS. 12 and 13 , but are positioned differently. In this configuration, thefirst dirt slot 4924 a is positioned generally adjacent theair inlet 4922, and theangle 4952 a between theair inlet 4922 and thefirst dirt slot 4924 a is about 30° downstream from the air inlet, and theangle 4952 b between the first dirt slot and thesecond dirt slot 4924 b is about 90°. In this configuration, bothdirt slots - Referring to
FIG. 15 , a cross-sectional schematic representation of another alternate embodiment of a cyclone bin assembly is shown.Cyclone bin assembly 5910 is generally similar tocyclone bin assembly 910, and analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by 5000. In this example, thedirt slots angle 5951 is about 180°) but eachdirt slot 5942 a and 5924 b is much wider than the other illustrated examples, such that theangles dirt slots 5942 a and 5924 b represent more than 50% of the total perimeter of thecyclone chamber 5913. Also in this embodiment, portions of thecyclone chamber sidewall 5921 are coincident with the dirt collection chamber sidewalls 5916. Optionally, if thecyclone chamber walls 5921 extend the entire height of thedirt collection chamber 5914, in this configuration thecyclone chamber 5913 may sub-divide thedirt collection chamber 5914 into twodifferent portions cyclone chamber 5913. Eachdirt collection region dirt slots 5942 a and 5924 b. Also, in this illustrated embodiment, theair inlet axis 5925 is not tangentially oriented (i.e. is not parallel to a tangential plane 5954). Instead, the air inlet 5922 is arranged at anangle 5955, relative to thetangential plane 5954. This may alter the characteristics of the air flow entering the cyclone chamber. - Referring again to
FIG. 7 , in the illustrated embodiment thedirt outlets centre angle 951 inFIG. 5 ). In this configuration,dirt outlet 924 a is positioned at the front of the cyclone chamber 913 (e.g. in a portion of the sidewall that is located toward the connector and air inlet) and thedirt outlet 924 b is positioned at the back of thecyclone chamber 913. When thesurface cleaning apparatus 900 is in use, dirt and debris may accumulate within thedirt collection chamber 914 and when the surface cleaning apparatus is manipulated by a user, dirt within thedirt collection 914 chamber may tend to shift and may collect toward the lowest portion of thedirt collection 914 chamber due to gravity. For example, when the surface cleaning apparatus is tipper forward, so that the connector is angled downward and the handle is lifted (FIG. 7 ),dirt 956 may tend to collect toward the front of thedirt collection chamber 914. If the level of thedirt 956 is sufficiently high it may partially or completely block thefront dirt outlet 924 a as illustrated. In this configuration thefirst dirt outlet 924 a may be blocked, but therear dirt outlet 924 b remains free. Similarly, if the surface cleaning apparatus is tipped rearward, the dirt may tend to collect in a rear portion of the dirt collection chamber (FIG. 8 ) and may partially or completely block therear dirt outlet 924 b. In this configuration therear dirt outlet 924 b is blocked, but thefront dirt outlet 924 a is free. Providing twodirt outlets outlet cyclone chamber 913 even if thesurface cleaning apparatus 900 is tilted forward or backward. Alternatively, instead of being provided toward the front and back of the cyclone chamber, the dirt slots may be positioned in other locations. For example, the cyclone chamber may be configured to have a rear dirt outlet and a side dirt outlet, or two side outlets provided toward the left and right sides of the cyclone chamber. - Optionally, one or more pre-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between the cyclone bin assembly and the suction motor. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more post-motor filters may be provided downstream from the suction motor. The following is a description of a pre-motor filter housing construction that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
- Referring to
FIG. 3 , in the illustrated embodiment a pre-motor filter chamber orhousing 956 is provided as a portion of thebody 901 of thesurface cleaning apparatus 900, above thecyclone bin assembly 910. Referring also toFIG. 8 , thepre-motor filter chamber 956 is bounded by abottom wall 957, asidewall 958 and anupper wall 958 a. In the illustrated example theupper wall 958 a is provided by anupper cover 959. Preferably, at least one of the bottom wall, sidewall and upper cover are openable to allow access to the interior of the pre-motor filter chamber. In the illustrated embodiment, theupper cover 959 is removable (FIG. 3 ) to provide access to the interior of thechamber 956. Alternatively, instead of being removable the upper cover may be pivotally openable or otherwise moveably coupled to the main body. - One or more filters may be positioned within the
pre-motor filter chamber 956 to filter fine particles from the air stream exiting the air outlet, before it flows into inlet of the suction motor. The filters may be of any suitable configuration and formed from any suitable materials. In the illustrated embodiment, a foam filter 960 and adownstream felt filter 961 are positioned within thepre-motor filter chamber 956. - In the illustrated example, the
bottom wall 957 includes a plurality ofupstanding support ribs 962 to support thefilters 960, 961 positioned within thechamber 956. Thesupport ribs 962 may hold thefilters 960, 961 above thesurface 963 of thebottom wall 957 to define a lower header orheadspace 964, to allow for air to flow laterally between the bottom surface 965 offilter 961 and thebottom wall 957. In the illustrated embodiment, the lower ordownstream headspace 964 is defined between the outer surface 965 of the felt 961 and thesurface 963 of thebottom wall 957. - To help reduce the overall size of the surface cleaning apparatus, in the illustrated embodiment the
pre-motor filter chamber 956, and the filters therein 960, 961, is positioned above thecyclone chamber 913 and covers the upper end of thecyclone chamber 913. In this configuration, aplane 966 containing the foam filter 960 is generally parallel and spaced above aplane 967 containing theair outlet 923 of thecyclone chamber 913, and bothplanes cyclone axis 920. Arranging the filters in this configuration results in the upstream side of the pre-motor filter (in this example the upper side 968 of the foam filter 960) being spaced further apart from thecyclone chamber 913 than the downstream side of the pre-motor filter (in this example the lower surface 965 of the felt filter 961). Alternatively, in other embodiments, the pre-motor filter chamber may cover only a portion of the upper end of the cyclone chamber and/or may be laterally spaced apart from the cyclone chamber and/or may be inclined with respect toplane 967. - In the illustrated embodiment, the pre-motor filter chamber or
downstream header 956 is configured so that the upstream side 968 of the foam filter 960 is provided toward the top of the chamber, and air flows generally downwardly through the filters. In this configuration, theupper cover 959 is shaped so that when it is closed (FIG. 8 ) an upper or upstream headspace orheader 970 is provided between the inner surface of theupper cover 959 and the upstream side 968 of the foam filter 960. To provide air flow communication between thecyclone air outlet 923 and theupstream headspace 970, it is preferred that thevortex finder 927 or an extension thereof extends through the pre-motor filters and preferably extends into the interior of thepre-motor filter chamber 956, through thefilters 960, 961 therein, and has anoutlet end 971 that is located within theupstream head space 970 and abovefilters 960, 961. To accommodate the extension of thevortex finder 927, each filter includes a correspondingly shaped conduit aperture 972 (FIG. 4 ). It will be appreciated that other flow paths may be used to connectvortex finder 927 in air communication withupstream headspace 970. - When the surface cleaning apparatus is in use, air exiting the
cyclone chamber 913 may flow into theupstream head space 956 via thevortex finder 927. Within the upstream headspace the air can flow laterally across the upstream surface 968 of the foam filter 960, and down through thefilters 960, 961 into thedownstream head space 964. - In this configuration, the
upper side 988 of the foam filter 960 is exposed to the dirty air exiting thecyclone air outlet 923, and may become dirty or soiled during use. Optionally, theupper cover 959 may include at least one transparent region overlying the upper side 968 of the filter 960. For example, some or all of the upper cover may be formed from a transparent material (such as plastic) or one or more windows may be provided within the upper cover member. Providing a transparent region allows a user to visually inspect the condition of the upstream side 698 of the filter 960 without having to open theupper cover 959. Alternatively, theupper cover 959 need not include any type of transparent portion or inspection region, and a user may inspect the upstream side 968 of the filter 960 when theupper cover 959 is opened or removed. - Alternatively, the pre-motor filter may be provided laterally from the vortex finder. For example, referring to
FIG. 16 , a cross sectional view of another embodiment of asurface cleaning apparatus 6900 is shown.Apparatus 6900 is similar toapparatus 900, and analogous features are identified using like reference numerals indexed by 6000. In this embodiment, thepre-motor filter 6960 is spaced laterally from thevortex finder 6927. Anextension 6927 a of the vortex finder extends above the top offilter 6960 to define a dirt collection area, which may be emptied when the lid is opened and the surface cleaning apparatus is inverted. - Optionally, the inlet of the suction motor is positioned along the length of one side (preferably the rear side) of the cyclone bin assembly. The following is a description of a flow path that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
- The suction motor preferably has an axis that is generally perpendicular to the cyclone axis and has an air inlet between the upper end and lower end of the cyclone bin assembly and preferably, between the upper end and the lower end of the cyclone chamber. Accordingly, from the
downstream head space 964, the air may flow to theinlet 973 of thesuction motor 911 via aninternal air conduit 974 formed within thebody 901. Air may be drawn through thesuction motor 911 and then be exhausted from a motor outlet 975, and expelled via the clear air outlet 904 (see alsoFIG. 6 ). - In the illustrated embodiment, the
internal air conduit 974 is formed within themain body 901 and is external thecyclone chamber 913 and thedirt collection chamber 914 and is partially bounded by an exterior surface of thecyclone chamber sidewall 921 and an exterior surface of the dirtcollection chamber sidewall 915. Theair conduit 974 extends generally vertically between thepre-motor filter chamber 956 and thesuction motor 911, and is positioned laterally intermediate thesuction motor 911 and thecyclone chamber 913. Thesuction motor 911 is positioned at an elevation where itsair inlet 973 is vertically between the upper and lower ends of thecyclone chamber 913, and themotor axis 926 passes through the cyclone chamber 913 (above the dirt collection chamber—seeFIG. 6 ). In the illustrated embodiment theinlet axis 925 intersects theair conduit 974 and is positioned below and does not intersect thepre-motor filter chamber 956. - The
internal air conduit 974 may extend downwardly at an angle to the vertical. It may or may not be bounded on one side by the sidewall of the cyclone chamber and/or the dirt collection chamber. - Optionally, a
bleed valve 976 may be provided to supply bleed air to thesuction motor inlet 973 in case of a clog in the air flow path upstream from thesuction motor 911. When the surface cleaning apparatus is in use, the air flow path may become clogged or otherwise blocked in a number of different ways, including, for example if a cleaning wand and/or suction hose becomes blocked with debris, if the cyclone chamber becomes fouled with debris and/or if the pre-motor filters are soiled to an extent that it significantly impedes airflow through the filters. Preferably thebleed valve 976 can be positioned and configured to supply bleed air into the airflow path at a location that is upstream from thesuction motor inlet 973 and downstream from the likely clog or blockage locations. - The following is a description of the positioning and orientation of a bleed valve that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
- For example, the
bleed valve 976 may be positioned to supply bleed air to theair flow path 974 between thepre-motor filter chamber 956 and thesuction motor inlet 973. Thebleed valve 976 may be any suitable valve, including a pressure sensitive valve that is opened automatically when there is a blockage in the air flow path upstream from thesuction motor 911. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
bleed valve 976 extends along avalve axis 977 that is generally parallel to thesuction motor axis 926, and is generally orthogonal to thecyclone axis 920. To provide outside air, aport 978 is provided in themain body 901, in air flow communication with the inlet end of thebleed valve 976. The outlet end of the bleed valve is in communication with theair conduit 974. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
bleed valve 976 is located at an elevation between thepre-motor filter chamber 956 and thesuction motor 911, partially laterally underlies the pre-motor filter chamber 956 (and thefilters 960, 961 therein) and partially laterally overlies thesuction motor 911 and itshousing 912. Alternatively, thebleed valve 976 may be located at a different elevation (for example below the suction motor and/or in line with or above the pre-motor filter chamber) and need not laterally overlap the suction motor, pre-motor filter chambers or the filters therein. - Alternatively, instead of extending laterally through the main body of the surface cleaning apparatus, the bleed valve may be provided in a different location. Referring to
FIG. 16 , a cross sectional view of another embodiment of asurface cleaning apparatus 6900 is shown.Apparatus 6900 is similar toapparatus 900, and analogous features are identified using like reference numerals indexed by 6000. In this embodiment, thebleed valve 6976 is positioned within thepre-motor filter chamber 6956 and is generally vertically oriented, along axis 6977. In the illustrated example, thebleed valve 6976 is generally co-axial with thecyclone chamber 6913. To supply outside air to the bleed valve, aport 6978 is provided in theupper cover 6959 of thepre-motor filter housing 6956 and is in air flow communication with the inlet end of thebleed valve 6976. The outlet end of thebleed valve 6976 is in air flow communication with theair conduit 6974 via aconduit 6979 or optionally via thedownstream headspace 6964, to supply the outside air to the suction motor in the event that the pre-motor filters are blocked. Theconduit 6979 can be any suitable conduit and can be sized to supply a desired quantity of air to thesuction motor 6911. - Optionally, the surface cleaning apparatus may be provided with one or more handles to allow a user to grasp and manipulate the surface cleaning apparatus. Each handle may have one or more grip portions and may be configured to allow the user to grasp the handle in one or more configurations and/or orientations. Providing a generally upright or pistol-grip style handle may allow a user to grasp the surface cleaning apparatus while keeping his/her wrist in a comfortable, ergonomic position.
- The following is a description of the positioning and orientation of a handle that may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
- Referring to
FIG. 9 , in the illustrated embodiment, handle 902 is configured as a generally upright handle and includes agrip portion 980 that is configured as a pistol-grip style handle. Thehandle 902 has a first orbottom end 981 that is adjacent the suction motor housing 912 (e.g., the upper surface thereof) and a second orupper end 982 that is spaced above from thelower end 981. Theupper end 981 of the handle may be adjacent the rear side wall of the housing of thepre-motor filter chamber 956 or may be attached to bridge portion that extends rearwardly from the pre-motor filter housing. - The
hand grip portion 980 may extend along ahandle axis 983. In the illustrated embodiment, thehandle axis 983 is inclined slightly forwardly, and forms andangle 983 a, relative to a vertical axis. Theangle 983 a can be any suitable angle, and preferably is between about 0-45°, and may be between about 20-35°. Thehandle axis 983 intersects the cyclone axis, thesuction motor axis 926 andsuction motor housing 912 and abridge portion 901 a of the main body that is an extension of thepre-motor filter housing 956. - When grasping the
hand grip portion 980, a user's fingers may pass through anopening 984 in front of thehand grip portion 980. In the illustrated embodiment, the perimeter of theopening 984 is formed by anupper portion 912 a (FIG. 7 ) of thesuction motor housing 912, thefront surface 980 a of thehand grip portion 980, a rear portion of the pre-motorfilter chamber sidewall 958 and connecting portions of the main body. Optionally, the air inlet port for thebleed valve 976 may be formed in one of the surfaces forming the perimeter of thehandle opening 984. - Preferably, the primary on/off power switch for the surface cleaning apparatus is positioned proximate the
handle 902, so that a user may turn the vacuum cleaner on or off while holding it by thehandle 902. Referring toFIGS. 4 and 7 , in the illustrated embodiment, theprimary power switch 985 is provided on the upper end of thehandle 902 and is configured so that it can be pressed by the thumb of a user while holding thehand grip portion 980. Thehand grip portion 980 can include an internal passage for routing electrical wires or mechanical linkages to provide communication between the primary power switch and the electrical circuit powering thesuction motor 911. Optionally, theprimary power switch 985 can be positioned so that it is intersected by the handle axis 9083. Alternatively, theprimary power switch 985 may be provided at another suitable location. - Optionally, the
handle 902 can be positioned so that the hand weight of the surface cleaning apparatus when held in a horizontally disposed position (e.g.,axis 988 is horizontal) is less than 2 lbs, preferably less than 1 lbs and more preferably about 0 lbs, thereby reducing the stress on a user's wrist. Accordingly, the user may experience only a slight down force even though the motor is below the handle. Thehandle 902 may accordingly be positioned so that it is behind the centre of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus. Preferably, the handle may also be configured so that all or a portion of it (e.g., the portion gripped by a user) is located at a higher elevation than the centre of gravity. - Positioning the handle behind and optionally above the centre of gravity may result in the surface cleaning apparatus tending to tip forwardly when being held horizontally by a user. This may tend to rotate the front of the surface cleaning apparatus downwardly when the surface cleaning apparatus is in use and may allow at least a portion of the weight of the surface cleaning apparatus to be carried by a surface cleaning head (or other tool) that rollingly contacts the floor.
- For example, referring to
FIG. 9 , in the embodiment illustrated, the centre of gravity 986 is located in avertical plane 987 that is forward of the handle andhorizontal plane 988 that lies below thelower end 981 of thehandle 902. In the illustrated embodiment thehandle axis 983 does not intersect the centre of gravity of the surface cleaning apparatus. - The following is a description of detachable motor housing may be used by itself in any surface cleaning apparatus or in any combination or sub-combination with any other feature or features disclosed herein.
- Optionally, the suction motor and at least a portion of its surrounding motor housing may be detachable from the main body of the surface cleaning apparatus. Referring to
FIGS. 10 and 11 , an alternate embodiment of asurface cleaning apparatus 7900 is shown.Apparatus 7900 is generally similar toapparatus 900 and analogous features are identified using like reference characters indexed by 7000. In this embodiment thesuction motor housing 7912 can be detachably connected to themain body 7901, so that thesuction motor housing 7912, and the suction motor therein, can be separated from thecyclone bin assembly 7910, handle 7902 and, preferably,pre-motor filter housing 7956. The suction motor and related electrical components may form a significant portion of the weight of thesurface cleaning apparatus 7900. Separating thesuction motor housing 7912 from themain body 7901 may allow a user to manipulate themain body 7901 and empty thedirt collection chamber 7914 and cyclone 7913 using thehandle 7902 without having to carry around the extra weight of the suction motor. - The detachable suction
motor housing module 7912 may removably coupled to themain body 7901 using any suitable attachment mechanisms. In the illustrated embodiment the attachment mechanism is alatch 7990 that can be triggered by a user. In this embodiment, thesuction motor module 7912 includes anair inlet port 7991 that is configured to be coupled to a reciprocalair outlet port 7992 on themain body 7901. Theports - If the primary on/off
switch 7985 is provided on the main body portion (as described above) in addition to the air flow connection, thesuction motor module 7912 also includes at least one control/electrical connection that is configured to mate with a corresponding control port on themain body 7901. In the illustrated example, the on/offswitch 7985 on themain body 7901 is an electrical switch, and the control connection between thesuction motor module 7912 and the main body includes mating electrical connectors (e.g.,male prongs 7993 and a female electrical socket 7994) to supply electricity to theswitch 7985. Alternatively, primary on/offswitch 7985 may be a mechanical switch that is connected to the suction motor module via a mechanical linkage. In such a configuration, the control connection can include a mechanical linkage to translate movements of the on/off switch to open and close an electrical circuit in the suction motor housing. Alternatively, control signals may be transmitted wireless (e.g. via radio signal) or in any other suitable manner between the on/off switch and the suction motor housing. In such configurations, the suction motor module and the main body need not include a physical control connection. - Optionally, the
surface cleaning apparatus 7900 can be configured so that most or all of the electrical components are located within thesuction motor housing 7912. In such a configuration, when themotor housing 7912 is separated from themain body 7901, substantially all of the components remaining in themain body 7901 may be washed without exposing the suction motor and other electrical components to water or other cleaning materials. This may help prevent inadvertent damage to the electrical components when washing thesurface cleaning apparatus 7900. - Optionally, instead of a hand-held or carriable surface cleaning apparatus, the surface cleaning apparatus may be an upright-style surface cleaning apparatus or a canister-style cleaning apparatus that includes a cyclone bin assembly having some or all of the features described herein. Referring to
FIG. 17 , an alternate embodiment of asurface cleaning apparatus 8900 is shown.Apparatus 8900 includes adirty air inlet 8903, aclean air outlet 8904 and acyclone bin assembly 8910 mounted to asuction motor housing 8912. A pre-motor filter chamber 8956 is defined between thecyclone bin assembly 8910 and themotor housing 8912. Thecyclone bin assembly 8910,suction motor housing 8912 and pre-motor filter chamber 8956 may include some or all of the features described herein, alone or in combination with each other. - Referring to
FIG. 18 , an alternate embodiment of asurface cleaning apparatus 9900 is shown.Apparatus 9900 includes adirty air inlet 9903, aclean air outlet 9904 and acyclone bin assembly 9910 mounted to asuction motor housing 9912. Apre-motor filter chamber 9956 is defined between thecyclone bin assembly 9910 and themotor housing 9912. Thecyclone bin assembly 9910,suction motor housing 9912 andpre-motor filter chamber 9956 may include some or all of the features described herein, alone or in combination with each other. - The following description exemplifies a number of the features disclosed herein in an alternate construction for a hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus.
- Referring to
FIG. 19 , another embodiment of a hand carriablesurface cleaning apparatus 10900 is shown. Thesurface cleaning apparatus 10900 is similar tosurface cleaning apparatus 900, and like features are indicated using analogous reference numbers indexed by 10,000. - The
surface cleaning apparatus 900 includes a main body 10901 having ahandle 10902, adirty air inlet 10903, a clean air outlet 10904 (see for exampleFIG. 26 ) and an air flow path extending therebetween. In the embodiment shown, thedirty air inlet 10903 is the inlet end of connector 10906. Optionally, the inlet end 10905 can be used to directly clean a surface. Alternatively, the inlet end can be connected to the downstream end of any suitable cleaning tool or accessory, including, for example a wand, a nozzle and a flexible suction hose. - The connector 10906 may be any suitable connector that is operable to connect to, and preferably detachably connect to, a cleaning tool or other accessory. Optionally, in addition to provide an air flow connection, the connector may also include an electrical connection 10909 (
FIG. 20 ). Providing anelectrical connection 10909 may allow cleaning tools and accessories that are coupled to the connector 10906 to be powered by thesurface cleaning apparatus 10900. For example, thesurface cleaning unit 10900 can be used to provide both power and suction to a surface cleaning head, or other suitable tool. In the illustrated embodiment, theconnector 10909 includes an electrical coupling in the form of a female socket member, and a corresponding male prong member may be provided on the cleaning tools and/or accessories. Providing the female socket on the electrified side of the electrical coupling may help prevent a user from inadvertently contacting the electrical contacts. - Referring to
FIG. 21 , a construction technique that may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein is exemplified. In this embodiment, the main body portion 10901 of the surface cleaning apparatus includes acore cleaning unit 11000 and anouter shell 11001. In the illustrated example, thecore cleaning unit 11000 is a generally, self-contained functional unit that includes thedirty air inlet 10903,air treatment member 10910,pre-motor filter chamber 10956,suction motor 10911 andclean air outlet 10904. The outer shell includesmating side panels 11002, the handle portion 11003 of the surface cleaning apparatus (including the primary power switch 10985) and an openable pre-motorfilter chamber cover 10959. When theouter shell 11001 is assembled around thecore cleaning unit 11000 the exposed outer surfaces of thesurface cleaning apparatus 10900 are formed from a combination of portions of thecore cleaning unit 11000 and theouter shell 11001. For example, the externalsuction motor housing 10912 and handle 10902 are provided by theouter shell 11001, whereas the shell is shaped so that portions of thecyclone bin assembly 10910 sidewalls remain visible in the assembled configuration. If these portions are at least partially transparent, they can allow a user to see into thedirt collection chamber 10914 to determine if thedirt collection chamber 10914 is getting full. - From the
dirty air inlet 10903, the air flow path extends through thecyclone bin assembly 10910 which forms part of the main body of the surface cleaning apparatus. A suction motor 10911 (seeFIG. 26 ) is mounted within a motor housing frame 11004 (FIG. 21 ) of thecore cleaning unit 11000 and is in fluid communication with thecyclone bin assembly 10910. In this configuration, thesuction motor 10911 is downstream from thecyclone bin assembly 10910 and theclean air outlet 10904 is downstream from thesuction motor 10911. - Referring to
FIGS. 23 and 26 , a uniflow cyclone and/or a cyclone with rounded junctures, and/or a cyclone with an insert member any of which may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein is exemplified. In the illustrated embodiment, the cyclone bin assembly 10901 includes acyclone chamber 10913 and adirt collection chamber 10914. Thedirt collection chamber 10914 comprises asidewall 10915, afirst end wall 10916 and an opposingsecond end wall 10917. Thedirt collection chamber 10914 may be emptyable by any means known in the art and is preferably openable concurrently with thecyclone chamber 10913. Preferably, the second dirt collectionchamber end wall 10917 is pivotally connected to the dirt collection chamber sidewall byhinge 10919. The second dirt collectionchamber end wall 10913 functions as an openable door to empty thedirt collection chamber 10914 and can be opened (FIGS. 24 and 25 ) to empty dirt and debris from the interior of thedirt collection chamber 10914. The second dirt collectionchamber end wall 10917 can be retained in the closed position by any means known in the art, such as by areleasable latch 10919 a. In the illustrated example, thehinge 10919 is provided on a back edge of theend wall 10917 and thelatch 10919 a is provided at the front of theend wall 10917 so that the door swings backwardly when opened. Alternatively, thehinge 10919 and latch 10919 a may be in different positions, and thedoor 10917 may open in a different direction or manner. Optionally, instead of being openable, theend wall 10917 may be removable. - In the embodiment shown, the
cyclone chamber 10913 extends along acyclone axis 10920 and is bounded by asidewall 10921. Thecyclone chamber 10913 includes anair inlet 10922 and anair outlet 10923 that is in fluid connection downstream from theair inlet 10922 and onedirt outlet 10924 in communication with thedirt collection chamber 10914. In this embodiment, thedirt collection chamber 10914 is positioned adjacent thecyclone chamber 10913 and at least partially surrounds thecyclone chamber 10913 in a side-by-side configuration. - Preferably, the
air inlet 10922 is generally tangentially oriented relative to thesidewall 10921, so that air entering the cyclone chamber will tend to swirl and circulate within thecyclone chamber 10913, thereby dis-entraining dirt and debris from the air flow, before leaving the chamber via theair outlet 10923. Theair inlet 10922 extends along aninlet axis 10925 that is generally perpendicular to thecyclone axis 10920, and in the illustrated example is generally parallel to and offset above thesuction motor axis 10926. - In the illustrated example, the
cyclone air outlet 10923 includes avortex finder 10927. Optionally, ascreen 10928 can be positioned over thevortex finder 10927 to help filter lint, fluff and other fine debris. Preferably, thescreen 10928 can be removable. - The
air inlet 10922 has aninlet diameter 10934, and a related inlet flow cross-sectional area (measure in a plane perpendicular to the inlet axis). Preferably, theair outlet 10923 is sized so that the diameter 10932 of theair outlet 10923, and therefore the corresponding flow area of theair outlet 10923, is the same as the diameter of the air inlet. Alternatively, the air outlet diameter 10932 may be between about 50% and about 150%, and between about 85-115% of theair inlet diameter 10925. - In the example illustrated the
cyclone bin assembly 10910, and thecyclone chamber 10913 are arranged in a generally vertical, uniflow cyclone configuration. In a uniflow cyclone, the air inlet is located toward one end of the cyclone chamber and the air outlet is provided toward the other end of the cyclone chamber. In this configuration, air enters one end of the cyclone chamber and generally exits via the other end of the cyclone chamber, as opposed to the cyclone chamber illustrated in the embodiment ofFIGS. 1 to 18 , in which air enters and exits the cyclone chamber via the same end. In the illustrated example, theair inlet 10922 is provided toward the lower end of thecyclone chamber 10913 and theair outlet 10923 is provided toward the upper end of thecyclone chamber 10913, such that air flows into the bottom of thecyclone chamber 10913 and exits at the top of thecyclone chamber 10913. Alternatively, the locations of the air inlet and outlet can be reversed. - Optionally, instead of a vertical configuration, the
cyclone bin assembly 10910 andcyclone chamber 10913 can be provided in another orientation, including, for example, as a horizontal cyclone. - Optionally, some or all of the
cyclone sidewall 10921 can coincide with portions of the external sidewalls of thecyclone bin assembly 10910 and the dirtcollection chamber sidewall 10915. Referring toFIG. 23 , in the illustrated embodiment the front portion of thecyclone chamber sidewall 10921 is coincident with the outer sidewall of thecyclone bin assembly 10910, and the rear portion of thecyclone sidewall 10921 helps separate thecyclone chamber 10913 from thedirt collection chamber 10914. This may help reduce the overall size of thecyclone bin assembly 10910. Alternative, thesidewall 10921 may be distinct from thesidewalls 10915. In alternative embodiments, thecyclone chamber 10913 may include only twodirt outlets 10924, or more than two dirt outlets. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
cyclone chamber 10913 includes a first or upper end wall 10937 (FIG. 23 ) and a second orlower end wall 10943. Theupper end wall 10937 is connected to the upper end of thesidewall 10921. In the illustrated example, ajuncture 10938 between theend wall 10937 and theside wall 10921 is a relatively sharp corner that does not include any type of angled or radiused surface. In contrast, thelower end wall 10943 meets the lower end of thecyclone sidewall 10921 at a juncture 11005 that includes a curved juncture surface 11006 (see alsoFIG. 27 ). The radius 11007 of thecurved surface 11006 may be selected based on the radius of the air inlet (e.g. half of the diameter 10934), and optionally may be the selected so that thejuncture surface 11006 has the same radius as theair inlet 10922. - The curved juncture surface can be provided as a portion of the sidewall or as a portion of the endwall. In the illustrated embodiment, the
curved juncture surface 11006 is provided as part of aninsert member 11008 that is provided on the bottom end wall and extends upward into the interior of thecyclone chamber 10913. The insert member also includes an upwardly extendingprojection member 11009 that extends into the interior of the cyclone chamber and engages thedistal end 10930 of the screen (FIG. 23 ). Together, thevortex finder 10927,screen 10928 andprojection member 11009 form a generally continuous internal column member that extends between the first andsecond end walls cyclone chamber 10910. Providing theprojection member 11009 may help direct air flow within the cyclone chamber, and may help support and/or stabilize thedistal end 10930 of thescreen 10928. - Optionally, the
juncture 11010 between theend wall 10943 and theprojection member 11009 may include a curved surface 11011 (seeFIGS. 23 and 26 ), and preferably is sized so that thesurface 11011 has a radius 11012 that is the same as radius 11007. Providingcurved surfaces end wall 10943 and thesidewall 10921, may help reduce backpressure and may help improve cyclone efficiency. Preferably, the two curved juncture surfaces 11006 and 11011 are separated by a generally flat,planar transition surface 11013, having awidth 11014. Providing aflat transition surface 11013 may help improve air flow, and/or reduce back pressure to help improve cyclone efficiency. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
second end wall 10943 of thecyclone chamber 10913, and theinsert member 11008 provided thereon, is integral with the openablebottom door 10917 that provides the bottom wall of thedirt collection chamber 10914. In this configuration, opening the door simultaneously opens thecyclone chamber 10913 and the dirt collection chamber 10914 (see for exampleFIGS. 24 and 25 ) for emptying. - In the illustrated embodiment, the
dirt outlet 10924 is in the form of a slot having bottom and side edges provided by thecyclone chamber sidewall 10921, and a top edge provided by theupper end wall 10937. Alternatively, all four edges of theslot 10924 may be provided by thecyclone chamber sidewall 10921. Thedirt slot 10924 is positioned at the back of thecyclone chamber 10921 and is generally opposite theair inlet 10922. In the illustrated embodiment, theupper wall 10937 of the cyclone chamber is integral with the upper wall 10916 (FIGS. 23 and 26 ) of thedirt collection chamber 10914. - Optionally, one or more pre-motor filters may be placed in the air flow path between the
cyclone bin assembly 10910 and thesuction motor 10911. Alternatively, or in addition, one or more post-motor filters may be provided downstream from the suction motor. - Referring to
FIG. 27 , a filter housing construction that may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein is exemplified. In the illustrated embodiment a pre-motor filter chamber orhousing 10956 is provided between theupper walls cyclone 10913 anddirt collection chambers 10914 and theopenable cover 10959. In this configuration, thebottom wall 10957 of thepre-motor filter chamber 10956 is integral with theupper walls cyclone 10913 anddirt collection chambers 10914, and theupper wall 10958 a andsidewall 10958 of thepre-motor filter chamber 10956 are provided via a filter cartridge housing 11015 (see alsoFIG. 28 ). Thefilter cartridge housing 11015 is separate from theopenable cover 10959. One or more filters may be positioned within the pre-motor filter chamber to filter fine particles from the air stream exiting the air outlet, before it flows into inlet of the suction motor. The filters may be of any suitable configuration and formed from any suitable materials. In the illustrated embodiment, afoam filter 10960 and a felt filter 10961 (FIG. 30 ) are positioned within thepre-motor filter chamber 10956. - Referring to
FIGS. 27-30 , the filter cartridge is a generally dome shaped member that includes aupper wall 10958 a and asidewall 10958 extending downwardly from the upper wall to surround thepre-motor filters pre-motor filters cartridge member 11015, and when inserted within the cartridge member (FIG. 29 ) thedownstream side 10965 of the feltfilter 10961 forms the bottom surface of thefilter cartridge 11015. When thefilter cartridge 11015 is inserted in its use position (FIG. 28 ) thedownstream side 10965 of the pre-motor filter rests on the support ribs 10962 (seeFIG. 29 ) on thebottom wall 10957, and the downstream headspace 10964 (FIG. 27 ) is defined between thedownstream side 10965 of thefilter 10961 and thebottom wall 10957. - In this embodiment, the upstream headspace 10970 (
FIG. 27 ) is provided between theupstream side 10968 of thepre-motor filter 10960 and theupper wall 10958 a of the cartridge housing 11015 (instead of being formed by the cover 10959). To provide air into the upstream headspace 1970, thevortex finder 10927 projects upwardly from thebottom wall 10957 and thefilters corresponding aperture 10972 to receive thevortex finder 10927. Preferably, a plurality of spacing ribs 11016 (FIG. 30 ) are provided on the inner surface of theupper wall 10958 a to keep theupstream surface 10968 of thefilter 10960 spaced apart from the inner surface of theupper wall 10958 a to maintain theupstream headspace 10970. - The
lower rim 11017 of thefilter cartridge 11015 housing is configured to seal against the bottom wall 10957 (for example via snap fit or by using any type of suitable gasket or sealing member) to provide a generally air tightpre-motor filter chamber 10956. The sealedchamber 10956 is then covered byopenable chamber cover 10959. As thefilter cartridge housing 11015 provides a sufficiently air tight connection to the bottom wall, thechamber cover 10959 need not be air tight. Preferably, at least a portion of both thechamber cover 10959 and thefilter cartridge 11015 housing is transparent so that a user can inspect theupstream side 10968 of thepre-motor filter 10960 without having to remove it from thechamber 10956. Optionally, both thechamber cover 10959 andfilter cartridge housing 11015 may be formed from transparent plastic. - When a user wishes to remove, clean, change or otherwise access the
pre-motor filter FIG. 30 ) to expose thefilter cartridge housing 11015. The user may then detach thefilter cartridge housing 11015 and separate it from thebottom wall 10957. Preferably, thepre-motor filters filters filter cartridge housing 11015 and remain inside thefilter cartridge housing 11015 until removed by a user. In this embodiment, the dirty,upstream side 10968 of thefilter 10960 remains enclosed by thefilter cartridge housing 11015 when separated from thecore cleaning unit 11000, and only the relatively clearerdownstream side 10965 of thefilter 10961 is exposed. This may help prevent dirt on theupstream side 10968 of thefilter 10960 from spilling or from otherwise contacting the user. When at a desired location, for example at a trash receptacle or a sink, a user can grasp the clean,downstream side 10965 of the filter and remove it from thefilter cartridge housing 11015. Theupstream side 10968 of the filter can then be cleaned and inspected as desired. - To assist a user, the upper side 1958 a of the
filter cartridge housing 11015 may be provided with a grip member, for example theflange 11018 in the illustrated embodiment (FIG. 28 ), which may allow a user to firmly grasp and manipulate thefilter cartridge housing 11015. Thegrip member 11018 may be of any suitable configuration and optionally may be provided on other portions of the filter cartridge housing (for example as a ridge or groove in the sidewall). Alternatively, thefilter cartridge housing 11015 need not include a separate grip member. - To help reduce the overall size of the surface cleaning apparatus, in the illustrated embodiment the
pre-motor filter chamber 10956, and the filters therein, is positioned above thecyclone chamber 10913 and covers the upper end of thecyclone chamber 10913. In this configuration, a plane 10966 (FIG. 26 ) containing thefoam filter 10960 is generally parallel and spaced above aplane 10977 containing theair outlet 10923 of thecyclone chamber 10913, and bothplanes 10966, 10967 are generally perpendicular to thecyclone axis 10920. Arranging thefilters upper side 10968 of the foam filter 10960) being spaced further apart from thecyclone chamber 10913 than the downstream side of the pre-motor filter (in this example thelower surface 10965 of the felt filter 10961). Alternatively, in other embodiments, thepre-motor filter chamber 10956 may cover only a portion of the upper end of the cyclone chamber and/or may be laterally spaced apart from the cyclone chamber. - When the surface cleaning apparatus is in use, air exiting the
cyclone chamber 10913 can flow into theupstream head space 10970 via thevortex finder 10927. Within theupstream headspace 10970 the air can flow laterally across theupstream surface 10968 of thefoam filter 10960, and down through the filters into thedownstream head space 10964. From thedownstream head space 10964, the air can flow to theinlet 10973 of the suction motor via an internal air conduit 10974 (FIG. 26 ) formed within the body 10901. In the illustrated embodiment, theinternal air conduit 10974 is formed within the main body 10901 and is external thecyclone chamber 10913 and thedirt collection chamber 10914 and is partially bounded by an exterior surface exterior surface of the dirtcollection chamber sidewall 10915. Theair conduit 10974 extends generally vertically between thepre-motor filter chamber 10956 and thesuction motor 10911, and is positioned laterally intermediate thesuction motor 10911 and thecyclone chamber 10913. Thesuction motor 10911 is positioned at an elevation where itsair inlet 10973 is vertically between the upper and lower ends of thecyclone chamber 10913, and the motor axis passes 10926 through thecyclone chamber 10913 and thedirt collection chamber 10914. - Optionally, the
cartridge member 11015 can be provided with abottom cover 11030 to encase thefilters pre-motor filter chamber 10956. Referring toFIGS. 33 and 34 , in such a configuration, thebottom cover 11030 may provide thebottom wall 10957 of thepre-motor filter chamber 10956, and may be provided withinternal ribs 10962 to support thefilters downstream headspace 10964. Anoutlet port 11031 provided in thebottom cover 11030 allows air to exit thecartridge enclosure 11015 and flow intoconduit 10974. Providing a sealed cartridge may help further contain dirt within the cartridge prior to emptying, and may help keep thefilters - Referring to
FIG. 20 , in the illustrated embodiment, handle 10902 has a first orbottom end 10981 that is adjacent thesuction motor housing 10912, a second orupper end 10982 that is spaced above from the lower end 1981 and agrip portion 10980 extending therebetween. When grasping thehand grip portion 10980, a user's fingers may pass through anopening 10984. - Referring to
FIG. 31 , a sectional view of an alternate embodiment cyclonebin assembly portion 12910 of a core cleaning unit 13000 that may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein is exemplified. Thecyclone bin assembly 12910 is similar tobin assembly 10910, and like features are identified using like reference numerals indexed by 2000. Thecyclone bin assembly 12910 is illustrated in isolation with the outer shell, filter cartridge member and the suction motor removed. In this embodiment thecyclone chamber 12913 is flared such that the cross-sectional area taken in aplane 13020 that passes through the air inlet 12922 (toward the bottom of the cyclone chamber 12913) is smaller than the cross-sectional area taken in aplane 13021 that passes through thedirt outlet 12924, and is smaller than the cross-section area of theupper end wall 12937 of the cyclone chamber 12913 (which includes the air outlet 12923). In this configuration, thecyclone chamber sidewall 12921 includes avertical portion 13022 and a generally frusto-conical portion 13023 positioned above thevertical portion 13022. In this embodiment the volume of thecyclone chamber 12913 increases toward the top to the cyclone chamber, which may help improve cyclone efficiency and/or may help dis-entrained dirt exit via the dirt outlet. - Referring to
FIG. 32 , a sectional view of an alternate embodimentcyclone bin assembly 14910 portion of the core cleaning unit 15000 that may be used by itself or with any other feature disclosed herein is exemplified. Thecyclone bin assembly 14910 is similar tocyclone bin assembly 10910, and like elements are represented using analogous reference numbers indexed by 4000. Thecyclone bin assembly 14910 is illustrated in isolation with the outer shell, filter cartridge member and the suction motor removed. In this embodiment thecyclone chamber 14913 is tapered such that the cross-sectional area taken in aplane 15020 that passes through the air inlet 14922 (toward the bottom of the cyclone chamber 14913) is larger than the cross-sectional area taken in aplane 15021 that passes through thedirt outlet 14924, and is larger than the cross-section area of theupper end wall 14937 of the cyclone chamber 14913 (which includes the air outlet 14923). In this configuration, thecyclone chamber sidewall 14921 includes avertical portion 15022 and a generally inwardly-tapering frusto-conical portion 15023 positioned above the vertical portion. In this embodiment the volume of thecyclone chamber 14913 decreases toward the top to the cyclone chamber, which may help improve cyclone efficiency and/or may help dis-entrained dirt exit via the dirt outlet. - What has been described above has been intended to be illustrative of the invention and non-limiting and it will be understood by persons skilled in the art that other variants and modifications may be made without departing from the scope of the invention as defined in the claims appended hereto. The scope of the claims should not be limited by the preferred embodiments and examples, but should be given the broadest interpretation consistent with the description as a whole.
Claims (20)
Priority Applications (18)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/779,405 US9433332B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2013-02-27 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
CA2919941A CA2919941C (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2014-02-24 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
CA2924492A CA2924492C (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2014-02-24 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
EP14756878.6A EP2961305B1 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2014-02-24 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
CA2899653A CA2899653C (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2014-02-24 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
PCT/CA2014/000134 WO2014131105A1 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2014-02-24 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
JP2015559397A JP2016511671A (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2014-02-24 | Surface cleaning device |
CA2977233A CA2977233C (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2014-02-24 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
NZ710606A NZ710606A (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2014-02-24 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
AU2014223326A AU2014223326B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2014-02-24 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
CN201480010786.3A CN105307552B (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2014-02-24 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
KR1020157026675A KR20150122755A (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2014-02-24 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US15/184,954 US10376112B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2016-06-16 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US16/450,304 US20190307301A1 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2019-06-24 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US16/847,476 US11229340B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2020-04-13 | Surface cleaning apparatus with an arrester plate having a variable gap |
US17/549,138 US11690489B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2021-12-13 | Surface cleaning apparatus with an external dirt chamber |
US18/108,238 US20230240488A1 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2023-02-10 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US18/315,234 US11950751B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2023-05-10 | Surface cleaning apparatus with an external dirt chamber |
Applications Claiming Priority (1)
Application Number | Priority Date | Filing Date | Title |
---|---|---|---|
US13/779,405 US9433332B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2013-02-27 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Related Parent Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/994,495 Continuation-In-Part US20160120382A1 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2016-01-13 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US14/994,495 Continuation US20160120382A1 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2016-01-13 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Related Child Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US14/932,816 Continuation US9693666B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2015-11-04 | Compact surface cleaning apparatus |
US15/184,954 Continuation US10376112B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2016-06-16 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Publications (2)
Publication Number | Publication Date |
---|---|
US20140237759A1 true US20140237759A1 (en) | 2014-08-28 |
US9433332B2 US9433332B2 (en) | 2016-09-06 |
Family
ID=51386632
Family Applications (2)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US13/779,405 Active 2034-08-13 US9433332B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2013-02-27 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US15/184,954 Active 2031-03-21 US10376112B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2016-06-16 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Family Applications After (1)
Application Number | Title | Priority Date | Filing Date |
---|---|---|---|
US15/184,954 Active 2031-03-21 US10376112B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2016-06-16 | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Country Status (1)
Country | Link |
---|---|
US (2) | US9433332B2 (en) |
Cited By (33)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US20140237760A1 (en) * | 2013-02-27 | 2014-08-28 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US20150351596A1 (en) * | 2014-06-06 | 2015-12-10 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9320401B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2016-04-26 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9433332B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2016-09-06 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9591958B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2017-03-14 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US20170224181A1 (en) * | 2014-07-18 | 2017-08-10 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Portable surface cleaning apparatus |
WO2017147643A1 (en) * | 2016-02-29 | 2017-09-08 | Electrical Home-Aids Pty Ltd | A vacuum cleaner |
US9885196B2 (en) | 2015-01-26 | 2018-02-06 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Pool cleaner power coupling |
US9885194B1 (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2018-02-06 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Pool cleaner impeller subassembly |
US9896858B1 (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2018-02-20 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Hydrocyclonic pool cleaner |
US9909333B2 (en) | 2015-01-26 | 2018-03-06 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Swimming pool cleaner with hydrocyclonic particle separator and/or six-roller drive system |
US10080471B2 (en) | 2015-12-21 | 2018-09-25 | Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. | Versatile vacuum cleaners |
US10080472B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2018-09-25 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus |
EP3409162A1 (en) * | 2017-05-31 | 2018-12-05 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Handheld vacuum cleaner with inclined floor area |
US10156083B2 (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2018-12-18 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Pool cleaner power coupling |
WO2019030490A1 (en) * | 2017-08-11 | 2019-02-14 | Dyson Technology Limited | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
WO2019034835A3 (en) * | 2017-08-11 | 2019-03-28 | Dyson Technology Limited | Handheld vacuum cleaner |
GB2572507A (en) * | 2016-10-14 | 2019-10-02 | Tti Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US20200046190A1 (en) * | 2018-08-13 | 2020-02-13 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
AU2019264561B2 (en) * | 2016-03-31 | 2021-02-04 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Cleaning apparatus |
US10945570B2 (en) | 2016-02-29 | 2021-03-16 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
US11006799B2 (en) * | 2018-08-13 | 2021-05-18 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11039724B2 (en) | 2016-02-29 | 2021-06-22 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
US11192122B2 (en) * | 2018-08-13 | 2021-12-07 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11229340B2 (en) * | 2010-03-12 | 2022-01-25 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus with an arrester plate having a variable gap |
US11297988B2 (en) * | 2017-04-21 | 2022-04-12 | Grey Technology Limited | Bagged vacuum cleaner |
US11304578B2 (en) | 2018-08-13 | 2022-04-19 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11399679B2 (en) * | 2015-12-04 | 2022-08-02 | Bissell Inc. | Cyclone module for vacuum cleaner |
US11478116B2 (en) | 2018-01-15 | 2022-10-25 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US11517166B2 (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2022-12-06 | Dyson Technology Limited | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
US11690489B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2023-07-04 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus with an external dirt chamber |
US11766157B2 (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2023-09-26 | Dyson Technology Limited | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
US20230337874A1 (en) * | 2017-07-06 | 2023-10-26 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Handheld surface cleaning apparatus |
Families Citing this family (60)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US8950039B2 (en) | 2009-03-11 | 2015-02-10 | G.B.D. Corp. | Configuration of a surface cleaning apparatus |
CA2599303A1 (en) | 2007-08-29 | 2009-02-28 | Gbd Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10765277B2 (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2020-09-08 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Configuration of a surface cleaning apparatus |
US9301666B2 (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2016-04-05 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US20210401246A1 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2021-12-30 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10258208B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2019-04-16 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9192269B2 (en) | 2006-12-15 | 2015-11-24 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US11751733B2 (en) | 2007-08-29 | 2023-09-12 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Portable surface cleaning apparatus |
US7941895B2 (en) | 2007-12-19 | 2011-05-17 | G.B.D. Corp. | Configuration of a cyclone assembly and surface cleaning apparatus having same |
US9591952B2 (en) | 2009-03-11 | 2017-03-14 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Hand vacuum cleaner with removable dirt chamber |
CA2967272C (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2018-01-02 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Hand vacuum cleaner |
US9211044B2 (en) | 2011-03-04 | 2015-12-15 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Compact surface cleaning apparatus |
CA2674761C (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2016-10-04 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus with different cleaning configurations |
US8875340B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2014-11-04 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus with enhanced operability |
US10674884B2 (en) | 2013-02-28 | 2020-06-09 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus |
US10729294B2 (en) | 2013-02-28 | 2020-08-04 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus |
US10791889B2 (en) | 2016-01-08 | 2020-10-06 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus |
US11950745B2 (en) | 2014-12-17 | 2024-04-09 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10165914B2 (en) | 2016-01-08 | 2019-01-01 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus |
US10238249B2 (en) | 2016-01-08 | 2019-03-26 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus |
US9962048B2 (en) | 2016-01-08 | 2018-05-08 | Omachron Intellectual Property | Hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus |
US11918170B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2024-03-05 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10016105B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2018-07-10 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US11241129B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2022-02-08 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10016104B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2018-07-10 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9986880B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2018-06-05 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10568477B2 (en) | 2016-04-11 | 2020-02-25 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
JP6782575B2 (en) * | 2016-07-28 | 2020-11-11 | 東芝ライフスタイル株式会社 | Vacuum cleaner |
KR102648244B1 (en) * | 2016-08-25 | 2024-03-18 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Cleaner |
US10136779B2 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2018-11-27 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10321794B2 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2019-06-18 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10441124B2 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2019-10-15 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10729295B2 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2020-08-04 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10136780B2 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2018-11-27 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10433689B2 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2019-10-08 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10413141B2 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2019-09-17 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10441125B2 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2019-10-15 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10292550B2 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2019-05-21 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10405711B2 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2019-09-10 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US11478117B2 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2022-10-25 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9962050B2 (en) | 2016-08-29 | 2018-05-08 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
GB2554931A (en) * | 2016-10-14 | 2018-04-18 | Tti Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10244910B2 (en) | 2016-12-28 | 2019-04-02 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Dust and allergen control for surface cleaning apparatus |
US10464746B2 (en) | 2016-12-28 | 2019-11-05 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Dust and allergen control for surface cleaning apparatus |
US10214349B2 (en) | 2016-12-28 | 2019-02-26 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Dust and allergen control for surface cleaning apparatus |
US10244909B2 (en) | 2016-12-28 | 2019-04-02 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Dust and allergen control for surface cleaning apparatus |
US10322873B2 (en) | 2016-12-28 | 2019-06-18 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Dust and allergen control for surface cleaning apparatus |
US10842330B2 (en) | 2017-07-06 | 2020-11-24 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Handheld surface cleaning apparatus |
US10702113B2 (en) | 2017-07-06 | 2020-07-07 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Handheld surface cleaning apparatus |
US10631693B2 (en) | 2017-07-06 | 2020-04-28 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Handheld surface cleaning apparatus |
US10537216B2 (en) | 2017-07-06 | 2020-01-21 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Handheld surface cleaning apparatus |
US10750913B2 (en) | 2017-07-06 | 2020-08-25 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Handheld surface cleaning apparatus |
US10506904B2 (en) | 2017-07-06 | 2019-12-17 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Handheld surface cleaning apparatus |
KR102341743B1 (en) * | 2017-08-07 | 2021-12-22 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Cyclone dust collector, vacuum cleaner having the cyclone dust collector and handy-stick type vacuum cleaner having the cyclone dust collector |
USD874758S1 (en) * | 2018-01-03 | 2020-02-04 | Bsh Hausgeraete Gmbh | Spot cleaner |
GB2590293B (en) * | 2018-08-13 | 2023-02-08 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc | Cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US10882059B2 (en) * | 2018-09-21 | 2021-01-05 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Multi cyclone array for surface cleaning apparatus and a surface cleaning apparatus having same |
EP3962337A1 (en) * | 2019-04-30 | 2022-03-09 | Black & Decker Inc. | A vacuum cleaner with a dirt collection chamber emptying blow mode |
USD915697S1 (en) * | 2019-07-29 | 2021-04-06 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner body |
US11779178B2 (en) | 2021-08-05 | 2023-10-10 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Household appliance having an improved cyclone and a cyclone for same |
Citations (23)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6171356B1 (en) * | 1998-04-28 | 2001-01-09 | Frank Twerdun | Cyclonic vacuum generator apparatus and method |
US6406505B1 (en) * | 2000-08-07 | 2002-06-18 | Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Vacuum cleaner having a cyclone type dust collecting apparatus |
US20040211025A1 (en) * | 2003-04-28 | 2004-10-28 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US6874197B1 (en) * | 1999-07-27 | 2005-04-05 | G.B.D Corp | Apparatus and method for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow |
US7105035B2 (en) * | 2003-04-11 | 2006-09-12 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US20060254226A1 (en) * | 2005-05-16 | 2006-11-16 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Multi cyclone dust-collecting apparatus |
US20080134460A1 (en) * | 2006-12-12 | 2008-06-12 | Gbd Corporation | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US20080196196A1 (en) * | 2006-12-15 | 2008-08-21 | G.B.D. Corp. | Vacuum cleaner with wheeled base |
US20080196194A1 (en) * | 2006-12-12 | 2008-08-21 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus with off-centre dirt bin inlet |
US20080289139A1 (en) * | 2007-05-24 | 2008-11-27 | Makarov Sergey V | Dual stage cyclonic vacuum cleaner |
US20090165431A1 (en) * | 2008-01-02 | 2009-07-02 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Dust separating apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US20090265877A1 (en) * | 2006-07-18 | 2009-10-29 | Dyson Technology Limited | Cleaning appliance |
US20090282639A1 (en) * | 2006-07-18 | 2009-11-19 | James Dyson | Cleaning appliance |
US20090305862A1 (en) * | 2008-06-10 | 2009-12-10 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Cyclone dust-collecting apparatus |
US7632324B2 (en) * | 2006-05-18 | 2009-12-15 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Single stage cyclone vacuum cleaner |
US20090307863A1 (en) * | 2006-07-18 | 2009-12-17 | William Frame Milne | Handheld cleaning appliance |
US20100212104A1 (en) * | 2007-08-29 | 2010-08-26 | G.B.D. Corp. | Filtration chamber construction for a cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus |
US7867308B2 (en) * | 2006-12-15 | 2011-01-11 | G.B.D. Corp. | Cyclonic array such as for a vacuum cleaner |
US20110219572A1 (en) * | 2010-03-12 | 2011-09-15 | G.B.D. Corp. | Seal construction for a surface cleaning apparatus |
US20130091662A1 (en) * | 2011-10-12 | 2013-04-18 | Black & Decker Inc. | Cyclonic separation apparatus |
US8601641B2 (en) * | 2011-03-04 | 2013-12-10 | G.B.D. Corp. | Removable cyclone chamber and dirt collection assembly for a surface cleaning apparatus |
US8978198B2 (en) * | 2011-03-03 | 2015-03-17 | G.B.D. Corp. | Filter housing for a surface cleaning apparatus |
US9027198B2 (en) * | 2013-02-27 | 2015-05-12 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Family Cites Families (300)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US911258A (en) | 1904-08-31 | 1909-02-02 | Firm Of Kakao Cie Theodor Reichardt Ges Mit Beschraenkter Haftung | Sifter for pulverulent material. |
US1600762A (en) | 1926-06-28 | 1926-09-21 | Hawley Charles Gilbert | Process of separation and apparatus therefor |
US1797812A (en) | 1928-09-04 | 1931-03-24 | Ass Lead Mfg Ltd | Apparatus for separating suspended matter from fluids |
US1937765A (en) | 1930-10-15 | 1933-12-05 | Quadrex Corp | Vacuum cleaner |
US2152114A (en) | 1931-08-17 | 1939-03-28 | Hermannus Van Tongeren | Dust separator |
GB374382A (en) | 1931-12-31 | 1932-06-09 | William Alexander | Improvements in appliances for centrifugally purifying gases, vapours and steam |
BE406007A (en) | 1933-08-10 | |||
US2542634A (en) | 1947-11-29 | 1951-02-20 | Apex Electrical Mfg Co | Dust separator |
US2678110A (en) | 1951-02-12 | 1954-05-11 | Walter M Madsen | Cyclone separator |
GB700791A (en) | 1951-08-03 | 1953-12-09 | English Electric Co Ltd | Improvements in and relating to dust separators |
BE515137A (en) | 1951-11-04 | |||
US2981369A (en) | 1951-11-23 | 1961-04-25 | Bituminous Coal Research | Vortical whirl separator |
US2731102A (en) | 1952-05-09 | 1956-01-17 | Fram Corp | Apparatus for removing heavy dust from air |
US2684093A (en) | 1952-06-07 | 1954-07-20 | Minnesota & Ontario Paper Co | Process and apparatus for increasing sound absorbing properties of acoustical material |
GB796886A (en) | 1955-01-20 | 1958-06-18 | Walter Jordan | Gas separator for fuel decanting installations |
US2917131A (en) | 1955-04-11 | 1959-12-15 | Shell Dev | Cyclone separator |
US2913111A (en) | 1955-05-13 | 1959-11-17 | Harvestaire Inc | Open section louver for material separating apparatus |
LU34342A1 (en) | 1955-05-26 | |||
US2737713A (en) | 1955-07-26 | 1956-03-13 | Hildreth A Spafford | Grapefruit cutter |
US2942691A (en) | 1956-09-27 | 1960-06-28 | Watts Regulator Co | Air line filter |
US2937713A (en) | 1957-01-11 | 1960-05-24 | Us Hoffman Machinery Corp | Vacuum cleaner |
US2946451A (en) | 1957-02-14 | 1960-07-26 | Pacific Pumping Company | Apparatus for separating entrained particles from liquids |
US3002215A (en) | 1957-11-14 | 1961-10-03 | Scott & Fetzer Co | Canister vacuum cleaner |
US2952330A (en) | 1958-03-12 | 1960-09-13 | Charles A Winslow | Centrifugal-type fluid purifier |
US3130157A (en) | 1958-12-15 | 1964-04-21 | Denis F Kelsall | Hydro-cyclones |
US3032954A (en) | 1959-11-20 | 1962-05-08 | Carl E Racklyeft | Suction cleaner |
US3085221A (en) | 1960-09-27 | 1963-04-09 | Cannon Electric Co | Connector with selectivity key |
NL287744A (en) | 1962-01-19 | |||
US3204772A (en) | 1962-06-21 | 1965-09-07 | Pacific Pumping Company | Sand separator |
US3217469A (en) | 1963-03-21 | 1965-11-16 | John S Eckert | Feed device for gas-and-liquid contact tower |
US3200568A (en) | 1963-09-06 | 1965-08-17 | Dalph C Mcneil | Flash separator |
US3269097A (en) | 1964-01-27 | 1966-08-30 | Aro Corp | Airline filter |
DE1282872B (en) | 1965-04-29 | 1968-11-14 | Siemens Elektrogeraete Gmbh | Dust separator for vacuum cleaner |
US3320727A (en) | 1965-08-02 | 1967-05-23 | Mitchell Co John E | Portable vacuum cleaning machine |
US3372532A (en) | 1965-08-17 | 1968-03-12 | Centrifix Corp | Dry separator |
US3426513A (en) | 1967-11-13 | 1969-02-11 | Kurt Bauer | Vehicular vortex cyclone type air and gas purifying device |
US3561824A (en) | 1968-05-22 | 1971-02-09 | Virgil A Homan | Cone separator |
US3518815A (en) | 1968-05-24 | 1970-07-07 | Environmental Research Corp | Aerosol sampler |
US3530649A (en) | 1968-06-28 | 1970-09-29 | Fred W Porsch | Air pollution control device for engines |
US3582616A (en) | 1968-10-29 | 1971-06-01 | Watlow Electric Mfg Co | Electrical heaters |
US3684093A (en) | 1969-08-13 | 1972-08-15 | Ashizawa Iron Works Co Ltd | Method and apparatus for separating particles from particle-laden fluid |
US3675401A (en) | 1970-04-13 | 1972-07-11 | Exxon Research Engineering Co | Cyclones to lessen fouling |
US3822533A (en) | 1972-03-04 | 1974-07-09 | Nederlandse Gasunie Nv | Device for removing impurities from gases |
US4744958A (en) | 1972-05-12 | 1988-05-17 | Pircon Ladislav J | Heterogeneous reactor |
SE366642B (en) | 1972-09-22 | 1974-05-06 | Electrolux Ab | |
SE372415B (en) | 1972-09-22 | 1974-12-23 | Electrolux Ab | |
FR2215995B1 (en) | 1973-02-07 | 1976-11-05 | Percevaut Emile | |
US3988133A (en) | 1973-11-19 | 1976-10-26 | Alpha Sheet Metal Works, Inc. | Cyclone apparatus |
NL177187C (en) | 1974-01-16 | 1985-08-16 | Nederlandse Gasunie Nv | DEVICE FOR SEPARATING POLLUTANTS FROM GASES. |
US3898068A (en) | 1974-05-31 | 1975-08-05 | John A Mcneil | Cyclonic separator |
SE435453B (en) | 1976-02-27 | 1984-10-01 | Filtrator Ab | Separator with disposable container |
CH611176A5 (en) | 1976-03-26 | 1979-05-31 | Sulzer Ag | Water separator of the cyclone type for a steam/water mixture |
EP0004145B1 (en) | 1978-02-28 | 1984-07-11 | Fred Mellor | Fluid/particle separator unit |
US4236903A (en) | 1978-07-17 | 1980-12-02 | Malmsten Sven O | Air cleaner |
US4218805A (en) | 1978-11-03 | 1980-08-26 | Vax Appliances Limited | Apparatus for cleaning floors, carpets and the like |
US4187088A (en) | 1979-01-18 | 1980-02-05 | Maloney-Crawford Corporation | Down flow centrifugal separator |
US4373228A (en) | 1979-04-19 | 1983-02-15 | James Dyson | Vacuum cleaning appliances |
US4307485A (en) | 1979-09-04 | 1981-12-29 | Black & Decker Inc. | Air-powered vacuum cleaner floor tool |
HU179869B (en) | 1980-05-29 | 1982-12-28 | Malom Es Suetoipari Kutatoin | Cyclone with double separation |
EP0042723B1 (en) | 1980-06-19 | 1985-08-21 | Rotork Appliances Limited | Vacuum cleaning appliance |
US4389307A (en) | 1981-06-22 | 1983-06-21 | Queen's University At Kingston | Arrangement of multiple fluid cyclones |
US4486207A (en) | 1981-06-22 | 1984-12-04 | Atlantic Richfield Company | Apparatus for reducing attrition of particulate matter in a chemical conversion process |
US4905342A (en) | 1984-06-11 | 1990-03-06 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Portable vacuum cleaner |
US4586624A (en) | 1984-08-07 | 1986-05-06 | Bondico, Inc. | Method and device for heat sealing thermoplastics materials |
JPS61131720A (en) | 1984-11-30 | 1986-06-19 | 東芝テック株式会社 | Electric cleaner |
US4853111A (en) | 1985-04-22 | 1989-08-01 | Hri, Inc. | Two-stage co-processing of coal/oil feedstocks |
USD303173S (en) | 1985-11-20 | 1989-08-29 | Matsushita Electric Industrial Co., Ltd. | Vacuum cleaner |
US4678588A (en) | 1986-02-03 | 1987-07-07 | Shortt William C | Continuous flow centrifugal separation |
CH672982A5 (en) * | 1987-06-18 | 1990-01-31 | Steinemann Ag | |
US4778494A (en) | 1987-07-29 | 1988-10-18 | Atlantic Richfield Company | Cyclone inlet flow diverter for separator vessels |
US4853008A (en) | 1988-07-27 | 1989-08-01 | Notetry Limited | Combined disc and shroud for dual cyclonic cleaning apparatus |
US5230722A (en) | 1988-11-29 | 1993-07-27 | Amway Corporation | Vacuum filter |
CA1313578C (en) | 1989-01-12 | 1993-02-16 | Kal Usmani | Central vacuum cleaner with detachable filter assembly |
US5129125A (en) | 1989-10-30 | 1992-07-14 | Komatsu Zenoah Company | Cleaning machine |
US5080697A (en) | 1990-04-03 | 1992-01-14 | Nutone, Inc. | Draw-down cyclonic vacuum cleaner |
US5078761A (en) | 1990-07-06 | 1992-01-07 | Notetry Limited | Shroud |
US5090976A (en) | 1990-09-21 | 1992-02-25 | Notetry Limited | Dual cyclonic vacuum cleaner with disposable liner |
DE9017798U1 (en) | 1990-11-30 | 1992-02-06 | Siemens Ag, 8000 Muenchen, De | |
US5139652A (en) | 1990-12-31 | 1992-08-18 | A. Ahlstrom Corporation | Centrifugal cleaner |
US5224238A (en) | 1991-04-18 | 1993-07-06 | Ryobi Motor Products Corp. | Horizontal canister vacuum |
US5267371A (en) | 1992-02-19 | 1993-12-07 | Iona Appliances Inc. | Cyclonic back-pack vacuum cleaner |
US5254019A (en) | 1992-07-08 | 1993-10-19 | Burndy Corporation | Configurable coded electrical plug and socket |
US5379483A (en) | 1992-07-21 | 1995-01-10 | Bissell, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner having a tool attached to the nozzle |
DE4232382C1 (en) | 1992-09-26 | 1994-03-24 | Pbs Pulverbeschichtungs Und Sp | Dust-separator with cyclone - has eddy-centring component secured by meshwork held at outlet edge and coarser than largest particle to be separated |
US5309601A (en) | 1992-10-16 | 1994-05-10 | White Consolidated Industries, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner with improved assembly |
DE9216071U1 (en) | 1992-11-26 | 1993-01-14 | Electrostar Schoettle Gmbh & Co, 7313 Reichenbach, De | |
US5347679A (en) | 1993-01-07 | 1994-09-20 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Stick type vacuum cleaner |
GB2282979B (en) | 1993-10-22 | 1997-10-08 | Paul James Huyton | Particle collection systems |
US5481780A (en) | 1994-01-12 | 1996-01-09 | Daneshvar; Yousef | Clean air vacuum cleaners |
MY112609A (en) | 1994-12-21 | 2001-07-31 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Improved dust separation apparatus |
DE19504275C2 (en) | 1995-02-09 | 2000-02-10 | Bruker Daltonik Gmbh | Virtual impactor with slit-shaped nozzles |
US5599365A (en) | 1995-03-03 | 1997-02-04 | Ingersoll-Rand Company | Mechanical fluid separator |
GB2298598A (en) | 1995-03-07 | 1996-09-11 | Notetry Ltd | Cyclone dust separator for vacuum cleaner with dust-settling fins or baffles |
USD380033S (en) | 1995-06-26 | 1997-06-17 | B&W Nuclear Technologies | Nozzle plate |
US6071095A (en) | 1995-10-20 | 2000-06-06 | Harvest Technologies Corporation | Container with integral pump platen |
JP2000505662A (en) | 1995-12-04 | 2000-05-16 | エレクトロラックス ハウスホールド アプライアンシズ リミティド | Vacuum cleaner |
US5893938A (en) | 1995-12-20 | 1999-04-13 | Notetry Limited | Dust separation apparatus |
JP3170443B2 (en) | 1996-01-09 | 2001-05-28 | ユニ・チャーム株式会社 | Cleaning tools |
US6080022A (en) | 1996-06-28 | 2000-06-27 | Intel Corporation | Multivoltage keyed electrical connector |
US5755096A (en) | 1996-07-15 | 1998-05-26 | Holleyman; John E. | Filtered fuel gas for pressurized fluid engine systems |
US5915814A (en) | 1996-08-30 | 1999-06-29 | Hydrofuser Technologies, Inc. | Cyclonic dryer |
SE509696C2 (en) | 1996-09-04 | 1999-02-22 | Electrolux Ab | Separation device for a vacuum cleaner |
SE508133C2 (en) | 1996-12-18 | 1998-08-31 | Electrolux Ab | Additive device for a vacuum cleaner |
JP2001514706A (en) | 1997-03-17 | 2001-09-11 | ルビンスキ,レオニド | Powder mixture for thermal diffusion coating |
WO1998043721A1 (en) | 1997-04-01 | 1998-10-08 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Separator device provided with a cyclone chamber with a centrifugal unit, and vacuum cleaner provided with such a separator device |
GB9817071D0 (en) | 1997-11-04 | 1998-10-07 | Bhr Group Ltd | Cyclone separator |
US6071321A (en) | 1997-11-26 | 2000-06-06 | Westinghouse Air Brake Company | E-1 air dryer liquid separator with baffle |
EP1052924B1 (en) | 1998-01-09 | 2010-03-24 | Royal Appliance Manufacturing Co. | Upright vacuum cleaner with cyclonic airflow |
US6345408B1 (en) | 1998-07-28 | 2002-02-12 | Sharp Kabushiki Kaisha | Electric vacuum cleaner and nozzle unit therefor |
JP2000140533A (en) | 1998-11-10 | 2000-05-23 | Shintoo Fine Kk | Filter for capturing/separating fine dust and capturing/ separating of fine dust using this filter |
GB2344751B (en) | 1998-12-18 | 2002-01-09 | Notetry Ltd | Vacuum cleaner |
GB2344745B (en) | 1998-12-18 | 2002-06-05 | Notetry Ltd | Vacuum cleaner |
US6782585B1 (en) | 1999-01-08 | 2004-08-31 | Fantom Technologies Inc. | Upright vacuum cleaner with cyclonic air flow |
US6210469B1 (en) | 1999-02-26 | 2001-04-03 | Donaldson Company, Inc. | Air filter arrangement having first and second filter media dividing a housing and methods |
US6174350B1 (en) | 1999-04-23 | 2001-01-16 | Rexair, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
GB9916759D0 (en) | 1999-07-17 | 1999-09-15 | Black & Decker Inc | Improvements in vacuum cleaners |
US6231645B1 (en) | 1999-07-27 | 2001-05-15 | G.B.D. Corp. | Apparatus and method for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow utilizing a movable access member associated with a cyclonic separator |
US6228260B1 (en) | 1999-07-27 | 2001-05-08 | G. B. D. Corp. | Apparatus for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow |
US6221134B1 (en) | 1999-07-27 | 2001-04-24 | G.B.D. Corp. | Apparatus and method for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow |
US6251296B1 (en) | 1999-07-27 | 2001-06-26 | G.B.D. Corp. | Apparatus and method for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow |
CN1376091A (en) | 1999-07-27 | 2002-10-23 | G·B·D·公司 | Apparatus and method for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow |
DE19938774A1 (en) | 1999-08-16 | 2001-03-01 | Lundin Filter Gmbh | Device for separating particles from a fluid |
US6560818B1 (en) | 1999-10-08 | 2003-05-13 | Production Metal Forming, Inc. | Carpet cleaning wand boot |
GB2355391A (en) | 1999-10-20 | 2001-04-25 | Notetry Ltd | Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with a horizontal, or substantially horizontal, separator |
US6599350B1 (en) | 1999-12-20 | 2003-07-29 | Hi-Stat Manufacturing Company, Inc. | Filtration device for use with a fuel vapor recovery system |
KR100510644B1 (en) | 2000-02-17 | 2005-08-31 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | cyclone dust collector |
JP2001269294A (en) | 2000-03-23 | 2001-10-02 | Sharp Corp | Vacuum cleaner |
DE60121652T2 (en) | 2000-03-24 | 2007-07-26 | Sharp K.K. | Electric vacuum cleaner |
US6434785B1 (en) | 2000-04-19 | 2002-08-20 | Headwaters Research & Development, Inc | Dual filter wet/dry hand-held vacuum cleaner |
US20020011050A1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2002-01-31 | Hansen Samuel N. | Suction cleaner with cyclonic dirt separation |
US20030159411A1 (en) | 2000-05-05 | 2003-08-28 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Cyclonic dirt separation module |
US6457205B1 (en) | 2000-05-24 | 2002-10-01 | Fantom Technologies Inc. | Vacuum cleaner having a plurality of power modes |
KR100437371B1 (en) | 2000-07-26 | 2004-06-25 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust-collecting apparatus for Vaccum Cleaner |
US6712868B2 (en) | 2000-09-01 | 2004-03-30 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Bagless canister vacuum cleaner |
WO2002034219A2 (en) | 2000-10-27 | 2002-05-02 | Unilever Plc | Mono and dialkyl quats in hair conditioning compositions |
KR100382451B1 (en) | 2000-11-06 | 2003-05-09 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust-collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
WO2002038025A1 (en) | 2000-11-13 | 2002-05-16 | Matsushita Electric Corporation Of America | Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with filter and filter sweeper |
KR100398685B1 (en) | 2000-11-27 | 2003-09-19 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust-collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US6514303B2 (en) | 2001-01-09 | 2003-02-04 | Case Corporation | Rotary air screen for a work machine |
US6868578B1 (en) | 2001-01-11 | 2005-03-22 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Upright vacuum cleaner with cyclonic separation |
GB0104675D0 (en) | 2001-02-24 | 2001-04-11 | Dyson Ltd | A tool for a vacuum cleaner |
ES2265492T3 (en) | 2001-02-24 | 2007-02-16 | Dyson Technology Limited | A VACUUM CLEANER. |
GB2372431B (en) | 2001-02-24 | 2004-09-15 | Dyson Ltd | A domestic appliance |
KR100392606B1 (en) | 2001-03-24 | 2003-07-23 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | cyclone dust-collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
KR100412585B1 (en) | 2001-06-01 | 2003-12-31 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Grille assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner |
KR100412584B1 (en) | 2001-06-02 | 2003-12-31 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Grille assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner |
KR100398681B1 (en) | 2001-06-04 | 2003-09-19 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Grille assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner |
KR100412580B1 (en) | 2001-06-04 | 2003-12-31 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Upright-type vacuum cleaner |
KR100444552B1 (en) | 2001-09-13 | 2004-08-16 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collector for vacuum cleaner |
KR100444323B1 (en) | 2001-10-05 | 2004-08-16 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Grille assembly for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner |
US6640383B2 (en) | 2001-12-10 | 2003-11-04 | Samson Tsen | Steam/vacuum cleaning apparatus |
JP3983047B2 (en) | 2001-12-18 | 2007-09-26 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Electric vacuum cleaner |
JP3749173B2 (en) | 2001-12-28 | 2006-02-22 | 三洋電機株式会社 | Dust collector for vacuum cleaner and electric vacuum cleaner |
KR100445804B1 (en) | 2002-02-27 | 2004-08-25 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Grille assemble for a cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for a vacuum cleaner |
CN1279869C (en) | 2002-04-28 | 2006-10-18 | 苏州金莱克清洁器具有限公司 | Speed reducing centrifugal duster for cleaner |
KR100437117B1 (en) | 2002-05-16 | 2004-06-23 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone-type dust collect apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
KR100478641B1 (en) | 2002-06-04 | 2005-03-24 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone-type dust collect apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US7152275B2 (en) | 2002-07-18 | 2006-12-26 | Panasonic Corporation Of North America | Dirt container for cyclonic vacuum cleaner |
GB0221512D0 (en) | 2002-09-17 | 2002-10-23 | North John H | Improved separation apparatus |
US6896719B2 (en) | 2002-09-26 | 2005-05-24 | The Hoover Company | Dirt collecting system for a floor care appliance |
US7210195B2 (en) | 2002-10-11 | 2007-05-01 | Rexair, Inc. | Integrated spider separator |
EP1554965B1 (en) | 2002-10-31 | 2011-08-31 | Toshiba TEC Kabushiki Kaisha | Electric cleaner |
US7653963B2 (en) | 2002-11-12 | 2010-02-02 | Black & Decker Inc. | AC/DC hand portable wet/dry vacuum having improved portability and convenience |
US6954966B2 (en) | 2002-11-12 | 2005-10-18 | Izumi Products Company | Cleaner for use in nursing care |
KR100476423B1 (en) | 2002-11-15 | 2005-03-17 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust and dirt collecting unit for vacuum cleaner |
SE0300355D0 (en) | 2003-02-10 | 2003-02-10 | Electrolux Ab | Hand held vacuum cleaner |
EP1449476B1 (en) | 2003-02-20 | 2008-08-27 | Wessel-Werk Gmbh | Nozzle for smooth surfaces and for textile floor coverings |
US7418763B2 (en) | 2003-02-26 | 2008-09-02 | Black & Decker Inc. | Hand vacuum with filter indicator |
KR100471142B1 (en) | 2003-05-21 | 2005-03-10 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collecting device and vacuum cleaner having the same |
US20050081321A1 (en) | 2003-10-15 | 2005-04-21 | Milligan Michael A. | Hand-held cordless vacuum cleaner |
CN2657570Y (en) | 2003-10-22 | 2004-11-24 | 江苏春花电器集团股份有限公司 | Centrifugal cyclone horizontal vacuum cleaner |
US7329294B2 (en) | 2003-10-23 | 2008-02-12 | Polar Light Limited | Dirt container for a surface cleaning apparatus and method of use |
EP1535560B1 (en) | 2003-10-28 | 2013-03-13 | LG Electronics, Inc. | Dust-collecting device and vacuum cleaner for both wet and dry cleaning using the same |
US6929516B2 (en) | 2003-10-28 | 2005-08-16 | 9090-3493 Québec Inc. | Bathing unit controller and connector system therefore |
WO2005053494A2 (en) | 2003-11-26 | 2005-06-16 | Electrolux Home Care Products, Ltd. | Dust separation system |
KR100548896B1 (en) | 2003-12-05 | 2006-02-02 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Vacuum cleaner and Suction port assembly thereof |
US7351269B2 (en) | 2003-12-22 | 2008-04-01 | Lau Kwok Yau | Self cleaning filter and vacuum incorporating same |
US6976885B2 (en) | 2004-03-02 | 2005-12-20 | Mobility Electronics, Inc. | Keyed universal power tip and power source connectors |
US7377007B2 (en) | 2004-03-02 | 2008-05-27 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner with detachable vacuum module |
US20050198769A1 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2005-09-15 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
US7779506B2 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2010-08-24 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
US7669282B2 (en) | 2004-03-11 | 2010-03-02 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
US7662198B2 (en) | 2004-03-15 | 2010-02-16 | Koninklijke Philips Electronics N.V. | Separation assembly for a vaccuum cleaner with multi-stage dirt separation |
US7341611B2 (en) | 2004-03-17 | 2008-03-11 | Euro-Pro Operating, Llc | Compact cyclonic bagless vacuum cleaner |
US7386915B2 (en) | 2004-04-20 | 2008-06-17 | Tacony Corporation | Dual motor upright vacuum cleaner |
US7770256B1 (en) | 2004-04-30 | 2010-08-10 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner with multiple cyclonic dirt separators and bottom discharge dirt cup |
GB2413941B (en) | 2004-05-13 | 2007-08-15 | Dyson Ltd | An accessory for a cleaning appliance |
KR100533830B1 (en) | 2004-05-14 | 2005-12-07 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Multi cyclone dust collecting apparatus |
KR20060018017A (en) | 2004-08-23 | 2006-02-28 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust and dirt collecting unit for vacuum cleaner |
WO2006026414A2 (en) | 2004-08-26 | 2006-03-09 | Euro-Pro Operating, Llc | Cyclonic separation device for a vacuum cleaner |
US7354468B2 (en) | 2004-08-26 | 2008-04-08 | Euro-Pro Operating, Llc | Compact cyclonic separation device |
US7419522B2 (en) | 2005-03-18 | 2008-09-02 | Euro-Pro Operating, Llc | Dirt separation and collection assembly for vacuum cleaner |
US8516653B2 (en) | 2004-09-17 | 2013-08-27 | Cube Investments Limited | Cleaner handle and cleaner handle housing sections |
US20060090290A1 (en) | 2004-11-01 | 2006-05-04 | Lau Ying W | Handheld vacuum with accelerated cyclonic flow and air freshener |
US7547336B2 (en) | 2004-12-13 | 2009-06-16 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner with multiple cyclonic dirt separators and bottom discharge dirt cup |
US7805804B2 (en) | 2004-12-21 | 2010-10-05 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Steerable upright vacuum cleaner |
US7485164B2 (en) | 2004-12-27 | 2009-02-03 | Lg Electronics, Inc. | Dust collection unit for vacuum cleaner |
US7645309B2 (en) | 2004-12-27 | 2010-01-12 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Dust collection unit and vacuum cleaner with the same |
KR100553042B1 (en) | 2004-12-27 | 2006-02-15 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust collecting unit of the vacuum cleaner |
KR100569330B1 (en) | 2004-12-27 | 2006-04-07 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust collecting unit of a vacuum cleaner |
KR100635668B1 (en) | 2004-12-29 | 2006-10-17 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | A dust collector for vacuum cleaner |
US20060156508A1 (en) | 2005-01-14 | 2006-07-20 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Vacuum cleaner with cyclonic separating dirt cup and dirt cup door |
US7559965B2 (en) | 2005-01-25 | 2009-07-14 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Cyclonic separating apparatus for vacuum cleaner which is capable of separately collecting water from dust |
KR100645375B1 (en) | 2005-01-31 | 2006-11-14 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collecting apparatus having dust counterflow prevent member |
US7556662B2 (en) | 2005-01-31 | 2009-07-07 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Multi-cyclone dust separating apparatus |
US7410516B2 (en) | 2005-03-17 | 2008-08-12 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Twin cyclone vacuum cleaner |
KR100594581B1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2006-06-30 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Multi dust collecting apparatus |
KR100622550B1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2006-09-13 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collecting device for vacuum cleaner and vacuum cleaner having the same |
KR100645378B1 (en) | 2005-03-29 | 2006-11-14 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Multi dust collecting apparatus |
KR100615360B1 (en) | 2005-04-18 | 2006-08-28 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collecting device and vacuum cleaner having the same |
KR100594584B1 (en) | 2005-04-22 | 2006-06-30 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Filter assembly and cyclone dust collecting apparatus having the same |
KR100662635B1 (en) | 2005-06-14 | 2007-01-02 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust collecting device for vacuum cleaner |
CN100571884C (en) | 2005-06-30 | 2009-12-23 | 乐金电子(天津)电器有限公司 | Multi-cyclone dust collector |
KR100626736B1 (en) | 2005-07-12 | 2006-09-25 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Dust collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US7811349B2 (en) | 2005-07-12 | 2010-10-12 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner with vortex stabilizer |
DE602005017262D1 (en) | 2005-08-11 | 2009-12-03 | Black & Decker Inc | Handstaubsauger |
KR101003417B1 (en) | 2005-08-17 | 2010-12-23 | 엘지전자 주식회사 | Dust collecting device for vacuum cleaner |
US20070067944A1 (en) | 2005-09-28 | 2007-03-29 | Panasonic Corporation Of North America | Vacuum cleaner with dirt collection vessel having a stepped sidewall |
US20070077810A1 (en) | 2005-10-05 | 2007-04-05 | Gogel Nathan A | Floor care appliance equipped with detachable power cord |
US7757344B2 (en) | 2005-10-07 | 2010-07-20 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Upright vacuum cleaner |
KR100688613B1 (en) | 2005-10-11 | 2007-03-02 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | A multicyclone dust collector for a vacuum cleaner |
US20070095029A1 (en) | 2005-10-28 | 2007-05-03 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Upright vacuum cleaner |
KR100648960B1 (en) | 2005-10-28 | 2006-11-27 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | A multi cyclone separating apparatus |
US20070095028A1 (en) | 2005-10-28 | 2007-05-03 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Upright vacuum cleaner |
US7882592B2 (en) | 2005-12-10 | 2011-02-08 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
KR101353311B1 (en) | 2005-12-27 | 2014-01-24 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Vacuum Cleaner |
US7887612B2 (en) | 2006-03-10 | 2011-02-15 | G.B.D. Corp. | Vacuum cleaner with a plurality of cyclonic cleaning stages |
US20080040883A1 (en) | 2006-04-10 | 2008-02-21 | Jonas Beskow | Air Flow Losses in a Vacuum Cleaners |
CN101061932A (en) | 2006-04-28 | 2007-10-31 | 光荣电业有限公司 | Whirlwind hand-held type vacuum dust collector |
US20110145024A1 (en) | 2006-05-01 | 2011-06-16 | Ticket2Final Ltd. | Computerized platform for selling tickets for sporting events that take place in a stadium |
KR100706622B1 (en) | 2006-05-03 | 2007-04-13 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | A compact & dual cyclone separating apparatus of a vacuum cleaner |
US7581287B2 (en) | 2006-06-14 | 2009-09-01 | Panasonic Corporation Of North America | Vacuum cleaner with spiral air guide |
KR100778121B1 (en) | 2006-06-16 | 2007-11-21 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Dust-separating apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
CN101095604A (en) | 2006-06-29 | 2008-01-02 | 光荣电业有限公司 | Hand-held vacuum cleaner having functions of cleaning filtration device and processing dust |
WO2008009890A1 (en) | 2006-07-18 | 2008-01-24 | Dyson Technology Limited | Handheld cleaning appliance |
WO2008009891A1 (en) | 2006-07-18 | 2008-01-24 | Dyson Technology Limited | Handheld cleaning appliance |
GB0617184D0 (en) | 2006-09-01 | 2006-10-11 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Support assembly |
GB2441300B (en) | 2006-09-01 | 2011-10-12 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A collecting chamber for a vacuum cleaner |
GB2442033B (en) | 2006-09-20 | 2011-06-22 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Motor driving apparatus |
GB2441962B (en) | 2006-09-20 | 2011-03-02 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A support device |
GB2442211A (en) | 2006-09-29 | 2008-04-02 | Vax Ltd | Cyclonic separator with dual dust receptacle arrangement |
EP2120665A4 (en) | 2006-11-03 | 2010-03-17 | Daewoo Electronics Corp | Vacuum cleaner |
CN101662976A (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2010-03-03 | Gbd公司 | Surface cleaning apparatus adapted for use with liner |
CA2593950C (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2013-01-15 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US8713751B2 (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2014-05-06 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus with liner bag |
US20080178416A1 (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2008-07-31 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus with shoulder strap reel |
WO2008070970A1 (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2008-06-19 | Gbd Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus with magnetic securing member |
WO2008070962A1 (en) | 2006-12-12 | 2008-06-19 | Gbd Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US20080172992A1 (en) | 2006-12-15 | 2008-07-24 | G.B.D. Corp. | Vacuum cleaner with openable lid |
KR100776403B1 (en) | 2007-02-14 | 2007-11-16 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Cyclone dust separating apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US8151407B2 (en) | 2007-03-09 | 2012-04-10 | G.B.D. Corp | Surface cleaning apparatus with enlarged dirt collection chamber |
EP1977672B1 (en) | 2007-04-04 | 2011-06-29 | Black & Decker, Inc. | Filter cleaning mechanisms |
GB2450737B (en) | 2007-07-05 | 2011-10-12 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Cyclonic separating apparatus |
KR101340423B1 (en) | 2007-08-28 | 2013-12-13 | 삼성전자주식회사 | A Stick Type Vacuum Cleaner |
US20100175217A1 (en) | 2007-08-29 | 2010-07-15 | G.B.D. Corp. | Cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus with externally positioned dirt chamber |
GB2453761B (en) | 2007-10-18 | 2012-04-18 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Cyclonic separating apparatus for a cleaning appliance |
GB2454227B (en) | 2007-11-01 | 2012-02-29 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Cyclonic separating apparatus |
KR20090046052A (en) | 2007-11-05 | 2009-05-11 | 삼성광주전자 주식회사 | Discharging apparatus and vacuum cleaner having the same |
KR101408726B1 (en) | 2007-12-05 | 2014-06-18 | 삼성전자주식회사 | Cyclone contaminants collecting apparatus for Vacuum cleaner |
US7941895B2 (en) | 2007-12-19 | 2011-05-17 | G.B.D. Corp. | Configuration of a cyclone assembly and surface cleaning apparatus having same |
JP2009261501A (en) | 2008-04-23 | 2009-11-12 | Yamada Electric Ind Co Ltd | Stick vacuum cleaner |
AU2009202183B2 (en) | 2008-06-05 | 2013-11-14 | Bissell Inc. | Cyclonic vacuum cleaner with improved filter cartridge |
CN201223346Y (en) | 2008-06-20 | 2009-04-22 | 泰怡凯电器(苏州)有限公司 | Cyclone duster |
US7922794B2 (en) | 2008-10-08 | 2011-04-12 | Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. | Cyclonic vacuum cleaner ribbed cyclone shroud |
GB2476776B (en) | 2008-10-22 | 2012-07-11 | Techtronic Floor Care Tech Ltd | Handheld vacuum cleaner |
GB0821827D0 (en) | 2008-11-28 | 2009-01-07 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Separating apparatus for a cleaning aplliance |
US8062398B2 (en) | 2008-12-19 | 2011-11-22 | Bissell Homecare, Inc. | Vacuum cleaner and cyclone module therefor |
GB2466290B (en) | 2008-12-19 | 2012-10-03 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Floor tool for a cleaning appliance |
US20110168332A1 (en) | 2010-01-14 | 2011-07-14 | Michael Damian Bowe | Light touch sealant applicator device |
JP2010178773A (en) | 2009-02-03 | 2010-08-19 | Makita Corp | Hand-held cleaner |
JP5368831B2 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2013-12-18 | 株式会社マキタ | Handy cleaner |
US7938871B2 (en) | 2009-02-27 | 2011-05-10 | Nissan North America, Inc. | Vehicle filter assembly |
CA2658014A1 (en) | 2009-03-11 | 2010-09-11 | G.B.D. Corp. | Housing for a post motor filter for a surface cleaning apparatus |
CA2658008A1 (en) | 2009-03-11 | 2010-09-11 | G.B.D. Corp. | Nozzle construction for a cleaning head |
US8578555B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2013-11-12 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9433332B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2016-09-06 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
CA2967272C (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2018-01-02 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Hand vacuum cleaner |
CA3017664C (en) | 2009-03-20 | 2021-02-23 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
GB2470918A (en) | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitating means for a cleaning head |
GB2470917A (en) | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitating means for cleaning head |
GB2470919A (en) | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitating means for a cleaning head |
GB2470920A (en) | 2009-06-09 | 2010-12-15 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Agitating menas for a cleaning head |
KR101110302B1 (en) | 2009-06-16 | 2012-02-15 | 토비즈 주식회사 | Handy vacuum cleaner |
CA2684820A1 (en) | 2009-11-06 | 2011-05-06 | Wayne Ernest Conrad | Electrical cord and apparatus using same |
US8152877B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2012-04-10 | Euro-Pro Operating Llc | Shroud for a cleaning service apparatus |
US8813305B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2014-08-26 | G.B.D. Corp. | Compact surface cleaning apparatus |
GB2478599B (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2014-07-16 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A vacuum cleaning arrangement |
US8667643B2 (en) | 2010-09-10 | 2014-03-11 | Euro-Pro Operating Llc | Method and apparatus for assisting pivot motion of a handle in a floor treatment device |
GB2484146B (en) | 2010-10-01 | 2013-02-13 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A vacuum cleaner |
GB2488368B (en) | 2011-02-28 | 2013-03-20 | Dyson Technology Ltd | A cleaner head for a surface treating appliance |
US8484799B2 (en) | 2011-03-03 | 2013-07-16 | G.B.D. Corp. | Cyclone chamber and dirt collection assembly for a surface cleaning apparatus |
US8973214B2 (en) | 2011-03-03 | 2015-03-10 | G.B.D. Corp. | Cyclone chamber and dirt collection assembly for a surface cleaning apparatus |
US8763202B2 (en) | 2011-03-03 | 2014-07-01 | G.B.D. Corp. | Cyclone chamber and dirt collection assembly for a surface cleaning apparatus |
US8646149B2 (en) | 2011-03-03 | 2014-02-11 | G.B.D. Corp. | Filter housing construction for a surface cleaning apparatus |
EP2581012B1 (en) | 2011-10-12 | 2015-01-21 | Black & Decker Inc. | A motor, fan and cyclonic separation apparatus arrangement for a vacuum cleaner |
EP2581022B1 (en) | 2011-10-12 | 2014-05-21 | Black & Decker Inc. | A motor, fan and cyclonic seperation apparatus arrangement |
GB2497945B (en) | 2011-12-22 | 2014-11-12 | Dyson Technology Ltd | Vacuum cleaner |
CA2919941C (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2016-09-06 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9320401B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2016-04-26 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
CN203724037U (en) | 2014-03-13 | 2014-07-23 | 光荣电业(东莞)有限公司 | Dust collection device |
-
2013
- 2013-02-27 US US13/779,405 patent/US9433332B2/en active Active
-
2016
- 2016-06-16 US US15/184,954 patent/US10376112B2/en active Active
Patent Citations (24)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US6171356B1 (en) * | 1998-04-28 | 2001-01-09 | Frank Twerdun | Cyclonic vacuum generator apparatus and method |
US6874197B1 (en) * | 1999-07-27 | 2005-04-05 | G.B.D Corp | Apparatus and method for separating particles from a cyclonic fluid flow |
US6406505B1 (en) * | 2000-08-07 | 2002-06-18 | Samsung Kwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Vacuum cleaner having a cyclone type dust collecting apparatus |
US7105035B2 (en) * | 2003-04-11 | 2006-09-12 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US20040211025A1 (en) * | 2003-04-28 | 2004-10-28 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Cyclone-type dust collecting apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US20060254226A1 (en) * | 2005-05-16 | 2006-11-16 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Multi cyclone dust-collecting apparatus |
US7632324B2 (en) * | 2006-05-18 | 2009-12-15 | Royal Appliance Mfg. Co. | Single stage cyclone vacuum cleaner |
US20090265877A1 (en) * | 2006-07-18 | 2009-10-29 | Dyson Technology Limited | Cleaning appliance |
US20090307863A1 (en) * | 2006-07-18 | 2009-12-17 | William Frame Milne | Handheld cleaning appliance |
US20090282639A1 (en) * | 2006-07-18 | 2009-11-19 | James Dyson | Cleaning appliance |
US20080134460A1 (en) * | 2006-12-12 | 2008-06-12 | Gbd Corporation | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US20080196194A1 (en) * | 2006-12-12 | 2008-08-21 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus with off-centre dirt bin inlet |
US7867308B2 (en) * | 2006-12-15 | 2011-01-11 | G.B.D. Corp. | Cyclonic array such as for a vacuum cleaner |
US20080196196A1 (en) * | 2006-12-15 | 2008-08-21 | G.B.D. Corp. | Vacuum cleaner with wheeled base |
US20080289139A1 (en) * | 2007-05-24 | 2008-11-27 | Makarov Sergey V | Dual stage cyclonic vacuum cleaner |
US20100212104A1 (en) * | 2007-08-29 | 2010-08-26 | G.B.D. Corp. | Filtration chamber construction for a cyclonic surface cleaning apparatus |
US20090165431A1 (en) * | 2008-01-02 | 2009-07-02 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Dust separating apparatus for vacuum cleaner |
US20090305862A1 (en) * | 2008-06-10 | 2009-12-10 | Samsung Gwangju Electronics Co., Ltd. | Cyclone dust-collecting apparatus |
US20110219572A1 (en) * | 2010-03-12 | 2011-09-15 | G.B.D. Corp. | Seal construction for a surface cleaning apparatus |
US8296900B2 (en) * | 2010-03-12 | 2012-10-30 | G.B.D. Corp. | Seal construction for a surface cleaning apparatus |
US8978198B2 (en) * | 2011-03-03 | 2015-03-17 | G.B.D. Corp. | Filter housing for a surface cleaning apparatus |
US8601641B2 (en) * | 2011-03-04 | 2013-12-10 | G.B.D. Corp. | Removable cyclone chamber and dirt collection assembly for a surface cleaning apparatus |
US20130091662A1 (en) * | 2011-10-12 | 2013-04-18 | Black & Decker Inc. | Cyclonic separation apparatus |
US9027198B2 (en) * | 2013-02-27 | 2015-05-12 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
Cited By (52)
Publication number | Priority date | Publication date | Assignee | Title |
---|---|---|---|---|
US11950751B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2024-04-09 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus with an external dirt chamber |
US11690489B2 (en) | 2009-03-13 | 2023-07-04 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus with an external dirt chamber |
US10376112B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2019-08-13 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US11229340B2 (en) * | 2010-03-12 | 2022-01-25 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus with an arrester plate having a variable gap |
US10080472B2 (en) | 2010-03-12 | 2018-09-25 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Hand carriable surface cleaning apparatus |
US9433332B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2016-09-06 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9027198B2 (en) * | 2013-02-27 | 2015-05-12 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9591958B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2017-03-14 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US20140237760A1 (en) * | 2013-02-27 | 2014-08-28 | G.B.D. Corp. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9320401B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2016-04-26 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10264934B2 (en) | 2013-02-27 | 2019-04-23 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US20150351596A1 (en) * | 2014-06-06 | 2015-12-10 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US9962049B2 (en) * | 2014-06-06 | 2018-05-08 | Sharkninja Operating Llc | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US10405710B2 (en) * | 2014-07-18 | 2019-09-10 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Portable surface cleaning apparatus |
US20170224181A1 (en) * | 2014-07-18 | 2017-08-10 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Portable surface cleaning apparatus |
US10557278B2 (en) | 2015-01-26 | 2020-02-11 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Pool cleaner with cyclonic flow |
US11236523B2 (en) | 2015-01-26 | 2022-02-01 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Pool cleaner with cyclonic flow |
US9909333B2 (en) | 2015-01-26 | 2018-03-06 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Swimming pool cleaner with hydrocyclonic particle separator and/or six-roller drive system |
US9885196B2 (en) | 2015-01-26 | 2018-02-06 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Pool cleaner power coupling |
US11399679B2 (en) * | 2015-12-04 | 2022-08-02 | Bissell Inc. | Cyclone module for vacuum cleaner |
US11793381B2 (en) | 2015-12-04 | 2023-10-24 | Bissell Inc. | Cyclone module for vacuum cleaner |
US10080471B2 (en) | 2015-12-21 | 2018-09-25 | Electrolux Home Care Products, Inc. | Versatile vacuum cleaners |
US11039724B2 (en) | 2016-02-29 | 2021-06-22 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
US10945570B2 (en) | 2016-02-29 | 2021-03-16 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Vacuum cleaner |
WO2017147643A1 (en) * | 2016-02-29 | 2017-09-08 | Electrical Home-Aids Pty Ltd | A vacuum cleaner |
US11241130B2 (en) | 2016-03-31 | 2022-02-08 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Cleaner |
AU2019264561B2 (en) * | 2016-03-31 | 2021-02-04 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Cleaning apparatus |
US11871890B2 (en) | 2016-03-31 | 2024-01-16 | Lg Electronics Inc. | Cleaner |
GB2572507B (en) * | 2016-10-14 | 2020-04-08 | Tti Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd | Surface cleaning apparatus |
GB2572507A (en) * | 2016-10-14 | 2019-10-02 | Tti Macao Commercial Offshore Ltd | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US11297988B2 (en) * | 2017-04-21 | 2022-04-12 | Grey Technology Limited | Bagged vacuum cleaner |
US10767382B2 (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2020-09-08 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Pool cleaner impeller subassembly |
US10156083B2 (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2018-12-18 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Pool cleaner power coupling |
US9885194B1 (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2018-02-06 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Pool cleaner impeller subassembly |
US9896858B1 (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2018-02-20 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Hydrocyclonic pool cleaner |
US10253517B2 (en) | 2017-05-11 | 2019-04-09 | Hayward Industries, Inc. | Hydrocyclonic pool cleaner |
EP3409162A1 (en) * | 2017-05-31 | 2018-12-05 | BSH Hausgeräte GmbH | Handheld vacuum cleaner with inclined floor area |
US20230337874A1 (en) * | 2017-07-06 | 2023-10-26 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Handheld surface cleaning apparatus |
WO2019034835A3 (en) * | 2017-08-11 | 2019-03-28 | Dyson Technology Limited | Handheld vacuum cleaner |
US11766157B2 (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2023-09-26 | Dyson Technology Limited | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
US11517166B2 (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2022-12-06 | Dyson Technology Limited | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
WO2019030490A1 (en) * | 2017-08-11 | 2019-02-14 | Dyson Technology Limited | Dirt separator for a vacuum cleaner |
US11963652B2 (en) | 2017-08-11 | 2024-04-23 | Dyson Technology Limited | Handheld vacuum cleaner |
US11478116B2 (en) | 2018-01-15 | 2022-10-25 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc | Surface cleaning apparatus |
US11607098B2 (en) | 2018-08-13 | 2023-03-21 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11304578B2 (en) | 2018-08-13 | 2022-04-19 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11013384B2 (en) * | 2018-08-13 | 2021-05-25 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US20200046190A1 (en) * | 2018-08-13 | 2020-02-13 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11006799B2 (en) * | 2018-08-13 | 2021-05-18 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11950750B2 (en) | 2018-08-13 | 2024-04-09 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11192122B2 (en) * | 2018-08-13 | 2021-12-07 | Omachron Intellectual Property Inc. | Cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
US11659970B2 (en) | 2018-08-13 | 2023-05-30 | Omacho Intellectual Property Inc. | Cyclonic air treatment member and surface cleaning apparatus including the same |
Also Published As
Publication number | Publication date |
---|---|
US20160367094A1 (en) | 2016-12-22 |
US10376112B2 (en) | 2019-08-13 |
US9433332B2 (en) | 2016-09-06 |
Similar Documents
Publication | Publication Date | Title |
---|---|---|
US10264934B2 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US9027198B2 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US9433332B2 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US9320401B2 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
CA2899653C (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US20230240488A1 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US20230190053A1 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus | |
US11910992B2 (en) | Handheld vacuum cleaner | |
US10165914B2 (en) | Hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus | |
US8689395B2 (en) | Portable surface cleaning apparatus | |
US20170215663A1 (en) | Hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus | |
US20170265696A1 (en) | Hand carryable surface cleaning apparatus | |
US20120222259A1 (en) | Surface cleaning apparatus with removable handle assembly | |
US8646146B2 (en) | Suction hose wrap for a surface cleaning apparatus |
Legal Events
Date | Code | Title | Description |
---|---|---|---|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: G.B.D. CORP., BAHAMAS Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CONRAD, WAYNE ERNEST;REEL/FRAME:030164/0194 Effective date: 20130226 |
|
AS | Assignment |
Owner name: CONRAD IN TRUST, WAYNE, CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:G.B.D. CORP.;REEL/FRAME:036175/0514 Effective date: 20150622 Owner name: OMACHRON INTELLECTUAL PROPERTY INC., CANADA Free format text: ASSIGNMENT OF ASSIGNORS INTEREST;ASSIGNOR:CONRAD IN TRUST, WAYNE;REEL/FRAME:036175/0600 Effective date: 20150622 |
|
STCF | Information on status: patent grant |
Free format text: PATENTED CASE |
|
CC | Certificate of correction | ||
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 4TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1551); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Year of fee payment: 4 |
|
MAFP | Maintenance fee payment |
Free format text: PAYMENT OF MAINTENANCE FEE, 8TH YEAR, LARGE ENTITY (ORIGINAL EVENT CODE: M1552); ENTITY STATUS OF PATENT OWNER: LARGE ENTITY Year of fee payment: 8 |